NEWS RELEASES
AUSTRALIAN MEASURES ON IMPORTS OF CANADIAN SALMONVIOLATE WTO RULES, CONCLUDES PANEL
February 18, 2000 (3:10 p.m. EST) No. 29
AUSTRALIAN MEASURES ON IMPORTS OF CANADIAN SALMON
VIOLATE WTO RULES, CONCLUDES PANEL
International Trade Minister Pierre S. Pettigrew and Fisheries and Oceans Minister
Herb Dhaliwal announced today that a World Trade Organization (WTO) panel has
confirmed that Australia's latest measures affecting imports of Canadian salmon are
inconsistent with its WTO obligations.
In 1998, the WTO found that Australia's ban on fresh, chilled and frozen Canadian
salmon was contrary to its WTO obligations. In 1999, the ruling was confirmed upon
appeal. Australia was given until July 6, 1999, to meet its WTO obligations.
Australia's latest measures, announced on July 19, 1999, provided limited access
for Canadian fresh, chilled and frozen salmon. The report of the WTO panel,
released today, confirms Canada's position that these measures still unnecessarily
restrict trade.
"We are extremely disappointed that Australia still has not complied with the WTO
rulings," said Minister Pettigrew. "The WTO has now ruled three times in our favour.
It is important for all WTO members to live up to their international trade obligations."
"This latest panel ruling confirms once again that the Australian measures, which
continue to restrict salmon imports from Canada, are not based on science,"
Minister Dhaliwal said. "These measures unjustifiably prevent Australian consumers
from having access to high-quality Canadian salmon, which is successfully exported
to dozens of countries around the world."
Canada held recent discussions with Australia in an attempt to find a mutually
acceptable solution that would improve market access for Canadian exporters.
Unfortunately, the discussions were not successful.
Under WTO rules, Canada has the right to retaliate against Australia. However,
before it can do so, WTO arbitrators will be asked to rule on the extent of retaliation
that Canada will be able to take. The arbitration process takes 60 days and is
expected to start in the next few days.
On May 29, 1999, the government announced a 30-day consultation period with
Canadians on a proposed list of products imported from Australia that might be
subject to a surtax of 100 percent above existing customs duties. The final list of
products will be based on comments received and the level of retaliation authorized
by the arbitrators.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Sylvie Bussières
Office of the Minister for International Trade
(613) 992-7332
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
Heather Bala
Office of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
(613) 996-0076
This document is also available on the DFAIT Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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