Russian Federation – Measures on the Importation of Live Pigs,

Pork and Other Pig Products from the European Union

Recourse to Article 21.5 OF THE dsu by the European Union

Communication from the Panel

The following communication, dated 28 January 2020, was received from the Chairperson of the Panel with the request that it be circulated to the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB).

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The Panel recalls its communication of 25 March 2019 informing the DSB that it would issue its final report to the parties in the first quarter of 2020 (DS475/23).

On 24 January 2020, the Panel received a letter from the European Union requesting the Panel to suspend its proceedings in accordance with Article 12.12 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (DSU).

Article 12.12 of the DSU provides that the Panel may suspend its work at any time at the request of the complaining party for a period not exceeding 12 months. This provision also indicates that if the work of the Panel has been suspended for more than 12 months, the authority for establishment of the Panel shall lapse. Pursuant to the European Union's request the Panel is suspending its work effective 28 January 2020. Accordingly, the Panel's authority will lapse on 28 January 2021 unless the European Union indicates that it wishes the Panel to recommence its work.

The Panel hereby informs the DSB of its decision of 28 January 2020 to grant the European Union's request and suspend its work.