Russian Federation – Measures on the Importation of Live Pigs, Pork

and Other Pig Products from the European Union

Communication from the Panel

The following communication, dated 22 April 2015, was received from the Chairperson of the Panel with the request that it be circulated to the Dispute Settlement Body.

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Article 12.8 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (DSU) provides 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 the final report is issued to the parties to the dispute, shall, as a general rule, not exceed six months.

Article 12.9 of the DSU provides that, when a panel considers that it cannot issue its report within six months, it shall inform the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) in writing accordingly and indicate the reasons, together with an estimate of the period within which it will issue its report.

The Panel on Russian Federation – Measures on the Importation of Live Pigs, Pork and Other Pig Products from the European Union (WT/DS475) was established by the DSB on 22 July 2014 and composed on 23 October 2014.  Following the resignations of two panelists, new members of the Panel were appointed on 6 November 2014 and 4 December 2014, respectively.

The Panel estimates that it will issue its final report to the parties by February 2016, in accordance with the timetable adopted after consultation with the parties.

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