UNITED STATES - IMPORT PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN SHRIMP

                                                     AND SHRIMP PRODUCTS

                                                     Request to Join Consultations

                                      Communication from the European Communities

        The following communication, dated 24 October 1996, from the Permanent Delegation of the European Commission to the Permanent Missions of the United States, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Thailand and the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated in accordance to Article 4.11 of the DSU.

                                                            _______________

        Pursuant to the procedures laid down in Article 4.11 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes, the European Community wishes to be joined in the consultations under Article XXII:1 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 (GATT 1994), requested by India, Malaysia, Pakistan and Thailand by a communication circulated to WTO members on 14 October 1996 (Document WT/DS58/1, G/L/116) regarding the import ban on shrimps and shrimp products from countries whose vessels do not use turtle excluder devices, as required by US legislation (Section 609 of Public Law 101-162).

        The European Communities have a substantial trade interest in the measures on which consultations have been requested.