In the Airbus/Boeing panels, the DSB starts the information-gathering process and names the facilitator under Annex V of the Subsidies Agreement

On 23 September 2005, the DSB initiated the information-gathering process and designated Mr Mateo Diego-Fernandez, deputy chief of the Mexican delegation to the WTO, as the facilitator under Annex V of the SCM Agreement for the two panels established on 20 July 2005 to examine the complaints by the US and EC against each other's support for, respectively, Airbus and Boeing (DS316 & DS317).

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NOTE:
This summary has been prepared by the WTO Secretariat’s Information and Media Relations Division to help public understanding about developments in WTO disputes. It is not a legal interpretation of the issues, and it is not intended as a complete account of the issues. These can be found in the reports themselves and in the minutes of the Dispute Settlement Body’s meetings.

According to Annex V, the process is initiated to obtain information necessary “to analyze the adverse effects caused by the subsidized product” (para 2), and “shall be completed within 60 days of the date on which the matter has been referred to the DSB” (para 5). The purpose of the facilitator is “to ensure the timely development of the information necessary to facilitate expeditious subsequent multilateral review of the dispute” (para 4).

At the meeting, Japan stated, for the record, its understanding that the 60-day period started today. Brazil expressed regret at the “unnecessary length” of this proceeding, and stated that the Annex carried no reference to a “consensus rule” nor to a need for a mutual agreement between the parties as a pre-condition for initiating the information-gathering process and for designating the facilitator.

Next meeting

The next meeting of the DSB is due to take place on 27 September 2005.