UNITED STATES - IMPORT PROHIBITION OF

                                     CERTAIN SHRIMP AND SHRIMP PRODUCTS

                                       Communication from the Chairman of the Panel

        The following communication, dated 17 September 1997, addressed to the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated in accordance with Article 12.9 of the DSU.

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        Article 12.8 of the DSU stipulates that the period in which the panel shall conduct its examination, from the date the composition and terms of reference of the panel have been agreed upon until the date the final report is issued to the parties shall, as a general rule, not exceed six months.  Pursuant to Article 12.9 of the DSU, when a panel considers that it cannot issue its report within six months, it shall inform the DSB in writing of the reasons for the delay together with an estimate of the period within which it will issue its report.

        The Panel on “United States - Import Prohibition of Certain Shrimp and Shrimp Products” was established by the DSB on 25 February 1997, and parties agreed on its composition and terms of reference on 15 April 1997.  I wish to inform you that the Panel has not been able to complete its work within the six months provided for in the DSU.  The complexity of the matter and the need to seek technical and scientific expertise pursuant to Article 13 of the DSU are responsible for this delay.

        The Panel would intend to finalize its work by the end of March 1998.