CANADA – MEASURES AFFECTING THE IMPORTATION OF MILK

AND THE EXPORTATION OF DAIRY PRODUCTS

Second Recourse by the United States and New Zealand

to Article 21.5 of the DSU

Communication from the Chairman of the Panel

            The following communication, dated 15 May 2002, addressed to the Chairman of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB), is circulated in accordance with Article 21.5 of the Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU).

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            Article 21.5 of the DSU provides that the panel shall circulate its report within 90 days after the date of referral of the matter to it.

            Article 21.5 of the DSU further states that when the panel considers that it cannot provide its report within this time frame, it shall  inform the DSB in writing of the reasons for the delay together with an estimate of the period within which it will submit its report.

            The Panel on Canada – Measures Affecting the Importation of Milk and the Exportation of Dairy Products, Second Recourse by the United States and New Zealand to Article 21.5 of the DSU

 (WT/DS103 and WT/DS/113) was established by the DSB on 18 December 2001 and composed on 17 January 2002.

            In agreement with the Parties, the issuance of the report was originally scheduled for 21 May 2002.  It will not, however, be possible for the Panel to complete its work byfor this date due to the complexity of the matter.

            The Panel expects to complete its work and issue the report by the end of May early June 2002.