costa rica – measures concerning the
importation of
fresh avocados from mexico
Communication from the Panel
The following communication, dated 18 November 2020,
addressed to the Chairperson of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB), is
circulated in accordance with Article 12.9 of the Dispute Settlement
Understanding (DSU).
_______________
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 Costa Rica - Measures Concerning the
Importation of Fresh Avocados from Mexico (DS524) was established by
the DSB on 18 December 2018 and composed on 16 May 2019.
In view of the situation
regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, including the ongoing travel restrictions and
the health risks associated with travelling to meetings, the Panel, after
consulting the parties, has decided to postpone the remaining meetings.
Consequently, and given the substantive and procedural complexities of this
dispute, the Panel will be unable to finish its work by the date estimated in
its last letter (document WT/DS524/4). The Panel expects to issue its final report to the parties early in
the second half of 2021.
The report
will only be available to the public once it is circulated to the Members in
all three working languages of the WTO. The date of circulation depends on completion of translation and the
Panel is not in a position to provide an estimated circulation date at this
time.
I would be
grateful if you would circulate this communication to the Members of the DSB.