UNITED STATES – IMPORT PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN SHRIMP

AND SHRIMP PRODUCTS

Recourse by Malaysia to Article 21.5 of the DSU

Communication from the Chairman of the Panel

            The following communication, dated 13 February 2001, addressed to the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated in accordance with Article 21.5 of the DSU.

_______________

            Article 21.5 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (DSU) provides that a panel called to review the existence or consistency with a covered agreement of measures taken to comply with recommendations and rulings of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) shall circulate its report within 90 days after the date of referral of the matter to it.  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 matter was referred to the Panel on "United States – Import Prohibition of Certain Shrimp and Shrimp Products – Recourse by Malaysia to Article 21.5 of the DSU" (WT/DS58) at the DSB meeting of 23 October 2000.  Due to administrative constraints, the Panel is not able to issue its report within 90 days.

            The Panel expects to issue its final report to the parties during the second half of the month of March 2001.