EU and Uruguay settle complaint over taxation of imported spirits

On 5 october 2009 the European Commission decided to close an investigation into Uruguay's taxation regime on spirits, following the removal of unfair barriers to the sale of European spirits in the country.

The investigation had been opened under the EU Trade Barriers Regulation (TBR) following a complaint by the Scotch Whisky industry. The Commission's enquiry led to changes in the Uruguayan legislation without the need to resort to WTO dispute settlement.

• Primary Source

European Union: MEMO/09/434: Trade Barriers Regulation (TBR) http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/09/434&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

ESO: Background information: Relations between Uruguay and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/relations-between-uruguay-and-the-european-union/

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