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EU STATEMENTS AT THE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BODY MEETING, 23 MAY 2025

23.05.2025
Geneva
EU mission to the WTO in Geneva - Press and information team

Statements made by Mr Davide GRESPAN, Minister-Counsellor and Mr Victor GARCÍA LOPEZ BERGES, Attaché

AGENDA POINT 1: SURVEILLANCE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED BY THE DSB

 

1.2.     UNITED STATES – SECTION 110(5) OF THE US COPYRIGHT ACT: STATUS REPORT BY THE UNITED STATES (WT/DS160/24/ADD.235)

  • We thank the United States for its status report and its statement today.
  • We refer to our previous statements. We would like to resolve this case as soon as possible.

AGENDA POINT 1: SURVEILLANCE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED BY THE DSB

1.3.         EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES – MEASURES AFFECTING THE APPROVAL AND MARKETING OF BIOTECH PRODUCTS: STATUS REPORT BY THE EUROPEAN UNION (WT/DS291/37/ADD.198)

  • We recall that the EU approval system is not covered by the DSB’s recommendations and rulings.

  • On 22 November 2024 the Commission presented for votes to the Standing Committee two decisions authorising the placing on the market of two GM maize ([1]). The votes taken during the meeting resulted in ‘no opinion’. These decisions were referred to the Appeal Committee in December 2024 and resulted in no opinion. The Commission adopted both decisions on 9 April 2025 ([2]) ([3]).

  • On 9 April 2025, the Commission adopted the decision on GM maize ([4]) referred to the Appeal Committee in October 2024 and resulted in no opinion. On 28 February 2025, the Commission presented for vote to the Standing Committee one decision authorising the placing on the market of GM soybean ([5]). The vote taken during the meeting resulted in ‘no opinion’. This decision was referred to the Appeal Committee in April 2025 and resulted in no opinion. The Commission will proceed with the next steps for regulatory approvals.

AGENDA POINT 6: APPELLATE BODY APPOINTMENTS

  • The European Union refers to its previous statements on this issue and thanks all Members that have co-sponsored the proposal to launch the appointment processes.

  • Since 11 December 2019, the WTO no longer guarantees access to a binding, two-tier, independent and impartial resolution of trade disputes. 

  • A fully functioning WTO dispute settlement system is crucial and a key priority. That is evidenced by the large number of Members co-sponsoring the present proposal relating to the appointment of members of the Appellate Body.

  • The EU remains committed to reforming the dispute settlement system so that it meets the interests of all Members and supports rules-based trade.

  • That said, despite the substantial work done by Members in dispute settlement reform discussions since MC12, it has now been more than 5 years that the system is not functioning fully.

  • Against this backdrop, the MPIA is ever more important as a stop-gap solution to preserve a fully functioning dispute settlement system among the willing Members. We welcome Paraguay and Malaysia as the newest MPIA participants and while we continue to hope to find a long-lasting solution, we invite other Members to join the MPIA in the interim.

Re Russia/Ukraine

  • The EU reiterates its resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Charter, and reaffirms its continued and unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. 

  • It also reconfirms the European Union’s unwavering commitment to providing continued political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people.

  • We underscore the need to reach, as soon as possible, a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine, in full respect of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, based on the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.


 

([1]) GM maize MON 95275 and DP910521

([2]) Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/694 of 9 April 2025 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 95275 (OJ L, 2025/694, 11.4.2025, p.1)

([3]) Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/699 of 9 April 2025 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize DP910521(OJ L, 2025/699, 11.4.2025, p.1)

([4]) Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/692 of 9 April 2025 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 94804 ((OJ L, 2025/692, 11.4.2025, p.1)

([5]) GM soybean MON 87705 × MON 87708 × MON 89788