WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/DS18/6
17 September 1998
(98-3654)
Original:  English
AUSTRALIA – MEASURES AFFECTING IMPORTATION OF SALMON
Communication from the Appellate Body
The following communication, dated 17 September 1998, from the Chairman of the Appellate
Body addressed to the Chairman of the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated in accordance with
Article 17.5 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes .
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I am writing to you pursuant to Article 17.5 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures
Governing the Settlement of Disputes , which stipulates that, as a general rule, the Appellate Body will
circulate its report no later than 60 days after the appellant has formally notified its decision to appeal.
Article 17.5 states, furthermore, that when the Appellate Body considers that it cannot provide its
report within 60 days, it shall inform the DSB in wr iting of the reasons for the delay together with an
estimate of the period within which it will submit its report.
Australia notified the Dispute Settlement Body of its decision to appeal certain issues of law
covered in the Panel Report and legal interpretations developed by the Panel on 22 July 1998, with the
result that the 60-day period will expire on Monday, 21 September 1998.  Due to the time required for
finalization and translation of the Report, the Appellate Body will not be able to circulate its Report
by 21 September 1998.  We estimate that the Appellate Body Report in this appeal will be circulated
to WTO Members by 20 October 1998.
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