European Union – Measures Affecting Tariff Concessions
on Certain Poultry Meat Products

Communication from the Panel

The following communication, dated 11 July 2016, 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 European Union – Measures Affecting Tariff Concessions on Certain Poultry Meat Products (WT/DS492) was established by the DSB on 20 July 2015 and composed on 3 December 2015.

In light of the complexity of the legal issues and in accordance with the timetable adopted after consultation with the parties, the Panel expects to issue its final report to the parties by early December 2016.

I would be grateful if you would circulate this letter to the DSB.

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