NEWS RELEASES
CANADA SEEKS WTO PANEL ON AUSTRALIAN BAN ON IMPORTS OF UNCOOKED SALMON
March 5, 1997 No. 42
CANADA SEEKS WTO PANEL ON AUSTRALIAN BAN ON IMPORTS OF
UNCOOKED SALMON
International Trade Minister Art Eggleton and Fisheries and Oceans Minister Fred
Mifflin announced today that Canada will ask the World Trade Organization (WTO)
for a dispute settlement panel on Australia's ban on imports of uncooked salmon.
Canada's request for a dispute settlement panel will be made formally to the WTO's
Dispute Settlement Body on March 20. The Australian government announced on
December 20, 1996, that it would maintain its current ban on uncooked salmon
products.
"Canada's position is that the ban cannot be supported on scientific grounds and
is inconsistent with Australia's obligations under the WTO," said Mr. Eggleton.
"Canadian salmon producers in British Columbia have been unfairly denied access to
Australia's market for over 20 years," said Mr. Mifflin. "Therefore, I strongly
support Minister Eggleton's decision to request a WTO panel."
In 1975, Australia introduced a new quarantine measure that prohibited the import
of uncooked salmon products, effectively requiring that imported salmon be either
heat treated or canned. Canadian exports of fresh, frozen or chilled salmon were
banned from the market.
Canada held a number of technical discussions with the Australians in an effort to
resolve the issue. These efforts were not successful.
In October 1995, Canada requested WTO consultations with Australia in a further
attempt to settle the problem. These consultations were held in November 1995
without reaching a resolution.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Nicole Bourget
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister for International Trade
(613) 992-7332
Bonnie Mewdell
Office of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
(613) 992-3474
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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