Press Release: European Union to challenge Australia’s protectionist food import regime at WTO

The European Union decided on 31 March 2003 to request Australia to enter into WTO formal consultations on its quarantine system for imports of agricultural products. Consultations are the first step in the WTO dispute settlement process and if they prove unsuccessful, entitle the EU to ask for a WTO Panel to be set up to rule on the legality of the Australian system.