Slovakia — Safeguard Measure on Imports of Sugar

Summary up-to-date at 30 May 2008  

Mutually Agreed Solutions notified under Article 3.6 of the DSU

Complaint by Poland.

On 11 July 2001, Poland requested consultations with Slovakia concerning the quantitative restrictions imposed by Slovakia on imports of sugar (tariff heading 1701). The imposition of the measure in question was notified to the Committee on Safeguards and circulated in document G/SG/N/10/SVK/1. Poland considered that this safeguard measure has been imposed in a manner inconsistent with Slovakia’s obligations under the Safeguards Agreement. According to Poland, it appeared that Slovak authorities acted inconsistently with various provisions of the Safeguards Agreement, namely, Article 3.1, Article 4.2(b), Article 5.2(a), Article 7.4, Article 12.1(b), Article 12.1(c) and Article 12.3

Poland considered that the investigation and the safeguard measure imposed have nullified or impaired the benefits accruing to Poland directly or indirectly under the Safeguards Agreement.

On 11 January 2002, the parties notified the DSB that they have reached a mutually agreed solution within the meaning of Article 3.6 of the DSU. Accordingly, Slovakia agreed to a progressive increase of the level of its quota for imports of sugar from Poland between 2002 and 2004, and Poland agreed to remove its quantitative restriction on imports of butter and margarine. Both parties agreed to implement the above by 1 January 2002.