USTR Requests Comments for WTO Panel's Upcoming Examination of Japan's Implementation of WTO Recommendations Regarding U.S. Apples, Etc
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice requesting comments by September 1, 2004 regarding the establishment of a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement panel to examine whether Japan has implemented the recommendations and rulings of the WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) in a dispute involving Japanese phytosanitary measures restricting the importation of U.S. apples.
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(Although Japan issued revised phytosanitary measures for apples on June 30, 2004 in response to the DSB's recommendations and rulings, the USTR contends that Japan's new measures retain almost all of the phytosanitary restrictions of its original measure.
The USTR explains that Japan justifies its phytosanitary measures due to concerns about the plant disease fire blight and the fire blight-causing organism, Erwinia amylovora, add that the European Communities, New Zealand, Taiwan, and Australia have indicated their interest to participate in the dispute as third parties.)
-written and electronic comments should be received on or before September 1, 2004 to be assures of timely consideration
USTR Contact - Jay Taylor (202) 395-3150
USTR Notice (D/N WTO/DS-245, FR Pub 08/12/04) available athttp://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-18457.pdf
BP Note
The USTR has previously stated that the U.S. is also seeking WTO authorization to impose trade sanctions against Japan totaling $143.4 million on an annual basis, representing the approximate amount of annual harm to the U.S. economy caused by Japan's measure concerning U.S. apples. (See ITT's Online Archives or 07/23/04 news, 04072305, for BP summary of USTR's press release, etc.)