Foodlaw-Reading
Dr David Jukes, The University of Reading, UK
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WTO News Item, 8 April 2014
In a communication received on 8 April 2014, the European Union notified the WTO Secretariat of a request for consultations with the Russian Federation regarding measures affecting the importation of live pigs and their genetic material, pork, pork products, and certain other products from the EU.
The measures, which include import bans or import restrictions, were imposed in late January 2014 following the detection of two cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) in wild boar in Lithuania and Poland.
The request also relates to alleged discriminatory treatment afforded by Russia to the EU and its member states by comparison with Ukraine and Belarus.
According to the EU, the measures are inconsistent with Russia's obligations under several articles of the SPS (Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary) Agreement and MFN (Most Favoured Nation) provisions in the GATT.
What is a request for consultations?
The request for consultations formally initiates a dispute in the WTO. Consultations give the parties an opportunity to discuss the matter and to find a satisfactory solution without proceeding further with litigation. After 60 days, if consultations have failed to resolve the dispute, the complainant may request adjudication by a panel.
A copy of the EU document is available on this site. See: Russian Federation - Measures on the Importation of Live Pigs, Pork and Other Pig Products from the European Union - Request for consultations by the European Union
