March 31, 2008
No. 70
The Ho onourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade, and the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, today welcomed a World Trade Organization (WTO) panel report confirming that the European Union's ban on imports of Canad ian beef from cattle treated with growth hormones is inconsistent with the EU's WTO obligations.
t-size: 12pt">"The WTO has once again sided with Canada b y confirming that the ban is inconsistent with the EU's international trade obligations," said Minister Emerson. "Canada continues to rely on the WTO rules-based system to defend its trade interests. We hope that the EU will lift its ban ."
Both Canada and the United States have consistently opposed the European Union's ban on the importation of beef from hormone-treated catt le since it was imposed in 1989. Both countries maintain that the EU has not been able to prove there are scientific reasons for a ban. Today's WTO ruling provides a clear indication that the dispute settlement panel agreed with Canada and the Unite d States on this matter.
"This government is standing up for Canadian farm families at home and around the world ," said Minister Ritz. "This ruling once again shows that Canada is playing by the rules and delivering safe, healthy food to markets around the world."
Under the app licable WTO rules, the panel report must be adopted by the WTO Dispute Settlement Body within 60 days from the date of circulation, unless either party appeals the report. Any appeal would be heard by the WTO Appellate Body.
The Government of Canada is carefully considering its next steps in consultation with stakeholders. Canada will continue to defend its rights and act in the best interests of its stakeholders.
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A backgrounder follows.
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Lynn Meahan
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Trade and Minister for the P acific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics
613-992-7332
Trade Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-996-2000
www.international.gc.ca/index.aspx
Margaux Stastny
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board
613-759-1059
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
613-759-7972
1-866-345-7972
Backgrounder
CHRONOLOGY OF THE DISPUTE
Since 1989, Canada and the United States have consistently opposed the EU ban on the importation of beef from hormone-treated cattle. On several occasions, the WTO has sided with Canada and found t hat the EU's ban on beef from cattle treated with growth hormones is an unjustified barrier to trade.
1989
The EU bans the importation of beef from hormone-treated cattle.
1996
Canada and the U.S. initiate WTO dispute settlement proceedings against the EU on grounds that the ban is inconsistent with the EU's WTO obligations.
1997
•A WTO dispute settlement panel agrees with Canada (and the U.S.) and finds the ban to be inconsistent with the EU's WTO obligation s. The EU appeals the panel report.
1998
•The WTO Appellate Body confirms the finding that the ban is inconsistent with the EU's WTO obligations.
1999
•The EU fails to bring itself into compliance within the period granted to it. In July 1999, Canada seeks and obtains WTO authorization to retaliate against $11.3 million of trade from Europe, primarily affecting pork, cucumbers and gherkins.
•October 2003: The EU reissues its ban and declares that it has brought itself i nto compliance with its WTO obligations.
2004
•November 2004: The EU requests consultations with Canada and the U.S.
•February 17: The WTO Dispute S ettlement Body approves the EU request for the establishment of a panel. The EU alleges that the continued retaliation by Canada and the U.S. is no longer consistent with WTO rules. The two countries' cases are technically separate but are effective ly merged because the substance is largely identical. One panel is to hear both cases.
•August 1: The panel agrees to open its hearings to public observation, at the request of Canada, the U.S. and the EU, to help contribute to greater transparency in the case.
•September 12-15: First substantive meeting of the panel with the parties.
2006
•March 24: The panel announces the names of scientific experts it has selected (in consultation with the parties) to advise the panel on relevant scientific matters.
•September 27-28: Meeting of the panel with scientific experts and the parties.
•October 2-3: Second substantive meeting of the panel with the parties.
2007
•July 31: The panel issues its interim report, including findings and conclusions, to the parties.
•December 21: The final report is issued to the parties. The report is confidential until it is translated and distributed to all WTO members.
2008
•March 31: The dispute settlement panel circulates its final report entitled"Canada-Continued Suspension of Obligations in the EC-Hormone Dispute," including findings and conclusions, to WTO members.
For more information on WTO panel cases to which Canada is a party, please consult the following website:
http://www.international.gc.ca/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/disp-diff/update_hormones.aspx?lang=en
