WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1333/98 by Lucio MANISCO to the Commission. Commission negotiation on the Helms-Burton Act
C 402/112 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 22. 12. 98 welfare provisions if the Communityís welfare-based production standards are made a condition for imports from third countries. Such possible conflicts can be effectively avoided through the adoption of international welfare-based standards in the framework of bilateral or multilateral agreements. Furthermore, given the fact that animal welfare is becoming an increasingly relevant issue in terms of international trade, this issue may be raised in the WTO context in the future. The possibility of amending WTO rules to address welfare concerns will be addressed in the context of the determination of the Community negotiation objectives for the next stage of the WTO negotiations. (98/C 402/145) WRITTEN QUESTION P-1333/98 by Lucio Manisco (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (24 April 1998) Subject: Commission negotiation on the Helms-Burton Act In reply to an earlier written question on this subject (H-108/98) (1), Commissioner Brittan fails to make it clear whether or not the Commission has decided to let the WTO Panel lapse with regard to the violation of international law resulting from the Helms-Burton Act. As European firms are suffering considerable hardship because of the Helms-Burton Act, which is fully enforced, de facto if not de jure, does Commissioner Brittan not consider that these delaying tactics, which in the final analysis endorse the extraterritorial effects of the US legislation, should be brought to an end by immediately referring the matter to the WTO Panel? (1) European Parliament Debates (February 1998). Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (18 May 1998) The Community and the United States are currently engaged in intensive discussion and negotiations in pursuit of a negotiated solution to the difficulties on the Helms-Burton and Iran and Libya sanctions Act (ILSA) legislation as envisaged in the 11 April 1997 understanding. Under the terms of this understanding, the Community agreed to suspend its World trade organisation (WTO) case against the Helms-Burton Act for 12 months against a United States commitment to continue the partial suspension of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act and to work towards a Title IV waiver and waivers under ILSA (1). If, however, a solution under the terms of the understanding is not found, the right to resume the WTO case remains. The Council decided in April 1997 that if action is taken against Community nationals, or waivers as described in the understanding are not granted, áthe Commission will request the WTO to restart, or to re- establish the panel, which then will follow its normal courseí. This possibility also covers the situation after the lapse of the suspension of the WTO panel. (1) Iran Libya Sanctions Act