CHILE – PRICE BAND SYSTEM AND SAFEGUARD MEASURES

RELATING TO CERTAIN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

Communication from the Chairman of the Panel

            The following communication, dated 23 November 2001, addressed to the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB), is circulated in accordance with Article 12.9 of the Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU).

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            Article 12.8 of the DSU stipulates that the period in which a panel shall conduct its examination, from the date that the composition and terms of reference of the panel have been agreed upon until the date that the final report is issued to the parties, shall, as a general rule, not exceed six months.

            Article 12.9 of the DSU states that 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 Chile – Price Band System and Safeguard Measure relating to Certain Agricultural Products (WT/DS207) was established by the DSB on 12 March 2001 and composed on 17 May 2001.

            It will not, however, be possible for the Panel to complete its work in six months due to the scheduling requests of the parties.

            The Panel expects to complete its work by the end of March 2002.