News from the WTO Dispute Settlement Body

The World Trade Organization (WTO) Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) met earlier this week under the leadership of its new chair, Ambassador Fried of Canada. Ambassador Fried began the meeting by urging the members to work harder on implementation of DSB rulings. He lamented the fact that members had fallen into a bad habit of submitting the same reports each month and requested that the members provide more meaningful and up-to-date information in their monthly reports.

Also at the meeting, Indonesia delayed the establishment of a dispute resolution panel requested by the United States to examine Indonesia's use of import licensing measures that restrict imports of horticultural products, animals and animal products. Indonesia said it was not in a position to agree to the establishment of a panel because it was engaged in consultations with the United States to resolve the matter bilaterally. If the matter is not resolved by consultations by the time of the next DSB meeting, the United States will have the right to have the panel established.

In other business, the DSB agreed to reappoint Mr. Richard Ramirez to the Appellate Body for a second four-year term beginning in July 2013.

(cgb)