 
   ./.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SCM/114 
21 July 2004 
 (04-3162) 
Committee on Subsidies 
and Countervailing Measures Original:   English 
 
 
 
ARGENTINA – EXPIRY REVIEW CONCERNING  
COUNTERVAILING MEASURES IMPOSED ON IMPORTS OF 
OLIVE OIL FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION 
 
Request for Consultations by the European Communities  
under Article 13.2 of the Agreement  
   The following communication, dated 19 July 2004, is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of the European Commission. 
 
_______________ 
 
  Please find attached a request for consultations with Argentina on the review of 
countervailing measures on olive oil. 
  We propose that the consultations take place in Geneva as soon as possible. G/SCM/114 
Page 2  
 
  The European Communities (“EC”) request c onsultations with Argentina on the expiry 
review concerning the countervailing measures in place on imports of olive oil from the EC.  These 
consultations are requested in accordance with Ar ticle 13.2 of the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and 
Countervailing Measures (ASCM).  
 The purpose of the consultations is to enable the EC to clarify a number of issues in relation 
to the review procedure, in particular in relati on to the report on essential facts recently issued by the 
Argentinean National Commission of External trad e (“Comisiòn Nacional de Comercio Exterior – 
CNCE).  The EC is concerned about possible breaches by Argentina of the ASCM provisions, in particular Articles 12.8, 15, 16.1 and 21 thereof.  
 
 The issues which the EC will raise during the consultations relate inter alia  to: 
 1. Whether Argentina’s “report on essential f acts” has met the requirements of Article 12.8 
ASCM. 
 
2. Whether there is either existence or likely r ecurrence of injury pursuant  to Articles 15 and 21 
ASCM.  There appears to be no evidence  that  the review was supported by or involved “a 
major proportion” of the domestic production as de fined in Article 16.1.  Furthermore, there 
seems to be no positive evidence to support an in jury finding in relation to each of:  volume 
of imports, effects of imports on prices in the domestic market and, the consequent impact of 
these imports on domestic producers.  
 3. Whether the allegedly subsidized imports are either causing  injury to domestic industry 
according to the provisions of Article 15.5 AS CM, or are likely to cause any recurrence of 
injury. 
 
 The EC reserves the right to raise other issues,  notably in relation to any further findings by 
Argentina’s concerning subsidy aspects in this case.     The EC looks forward to agreeing on a suitable date for holding these consultations with the 
Argentinean authorities. It is suggested that  the consultations take place in Geneva.  
 
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