NEWS RELEASESMay 8, 1998 No. 113 WTO PANEL REPORT ON AUSTRALIAN BAN OF CANADIAN SALMON International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi and David Anderson, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, confirmed today that Canada and Australia have received the final report from the World Trade Organization (WTO) Dispute Settlement Panel regarding Australia's ban on imports of fresh, chilled and frozen salmon from Canada. Under WTO rules and procedures, Panel reports remain confidential until the final report is circulated to all WTO members, at which time it becomes public. The Panel report on salmon is not expected to be circulated to all WTO members until June. Canada's position has been to honour the confidentiality rules. However, in this particular instance, the Ministers feel compelled to respond to a media release issued on May 6, 1998, by the Australian government, which discussed the details of the confidential report. "I regret that the Australia media release comments directly on the Panel's findings and recommendations in violation of the confidentiality rules," said Mr. Marchi. "Under the circumstances, I think it is important to clarify Australia's misleading statement that the Panel did not recommend the removal of Australia's import ban," said Mr. Marchi. "The Panel has found that Australia's ban is inconsistent with several provisions of the WTO Agreement, and has recommended that the Dispute Settlement Body request Australia to bring its measure into conformity with its obligations under the Agreement. In Canada's view, this means that Australia must lift the ban," added the Minister. "Canada has consistently taken the position that there is no scientific basis for Australia's ban," said Minister Anderson. "Canada exports fresh and frozen salmon to approximately 50 countries, and the quality of our product is recognized worldwide. Australia is the only country that bans these products. A lifting of the Australian ban would provide important commercial benefits to Canadian fishermen and processors." Australia's ban was first introduced in 1975. After years of unsuccessful bilateral efforts to resolve the dispute, the WTO Dispute Settlement Body established a panel on April 10, 1997, at Canada's request. The objective of the WTO is to secure and enhance market access in goods, services, and intellectual property through predictable, transparent, and enforceable trade rules. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the WTO was established by the Marrakesh Declaration in 1994, and came into force in 1995. - 30 - For further information, media representatives may contact: Leslie Swartman Office of the Minister for International Trade (613) 992-7332 Athana Mentzelopoulos Office of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (613) 996-0076 Media Relations Office Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (613) 995-1874 This document is also available on the Department's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca |