G/L/1094  
 
26 November 2014  
(14-6872)  Page: 1/11  
   
 
REPORT (2014) OF THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS 
In accordance with the "Procedures for an Annual Overview of WTO Activities and for Reporting 
under the WTO" (WT/L/105), the Council for Trade in Goods is to report each year to the General 
Council on the activities in the Council as well as in the subsidiary bodies. The reports are to be 
"factual in nature, containing an indication of actions and decisions taken, with cross references to reports of subordinate bodies and could follow the model of the GATT 1947 Council reports to the 
CONTRACTING PARTIES". 
Since its 2013 Annual Report (G/L/1057) was issued, the Council for Trade in Goods (CTG, or the 
Council) met four times in formal session, on  the following dates: 9 April 2014 (G/C/M/118); 
19 June 2014 (G/C/M/119); 17 November 2014 (G/C/M/120
1); and 25 November 2014 
(G/C/M/1211). 
The subject matters raised and/or acted upon in the Council were as follows: 
1   ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON OF THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS ........................ 3  
2   APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS FOR THE SUBSIDIARY BODIES OF THE COUNCIL ........... 3  
3   MATTERS OF THE COMMITTEE ON MARKET ACCESS ..................................................... 3  
3.1   Derestriction of Historical Bilateral Negotiating Documentation of the Kennedy 
Round ......................................................................................................................... .... 3 
3.2   Collective waiver requests on the in troduction of the Harmonized System 2002, 
2007 and 20 12 .................................................................................................................  3 
4   WAIVERS UNDER ARTICLE IX  OF THE WTO AGREEMENT ............................................. 4  
5   EUROPEAN UNION EN LARGEMENT: PROCEDURES  UNDER ARTICLE XXVIII:3 
OF GATT 1994 (G/L/1051/ADD.1 AND G/L/1051/ADD.2) ............................................... 5  
5.1   Enlargement of the European Union on 1 January 2007 ................................................... 5  
5.2   Enlargement of the European Union on 1 July 2013 (G/L/1051/Add.1 and 
G/L/1051/Add.2) .............................................................................................................. 5 
6   NOTIFICATION OF RE GIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS .................................................... 5  
7   NOTIFICATIONS .......................................................................................................... 6  
-  Status of notifications under the provisions of the Agreements in Annex 1A of the 
WTO Agreem ent ............................................................................................................... 6  
-  Notifications of actions taken under the 1999 Waiver for Preferential Tariff 
Treatment for Least Developed Countries (WT/L/304 and WT/L/759) ........................................ 6  
8   GABON – SCHEDULE XLV II: RENEGOTIATIONS UNDER 
GATT ARTICLE XXVIII:4 AND ARTI CLE XXIV:6 OF THE GATT 1994 
(G/SECRET/36/ADD.1) .................................................................................................... 6  
9   BRAZIL – INDIRECT TAXATION: COND ITIONS TO OBTAIN TAX BENEFITS IN 
VARIOUS SECTORS – STATEMENT BY JAPAN .................................................................... 6  
                                               
1 To be issued. G/L/1094 
 
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  10   INDONESIA'S IMPORT AND EXPORT RESTRICTING POLICIES AND 
PRACTICES – REQUEST FROM THE EUROPE AN UNION, JAPAN, AND THE UNITED 
STATES OF AMERICA ........................................................................................................ 6  
11   UKRAINE – TRADE POLICY AND MEASURES – STATEMENT BY JAPAN ........................ 7  
12   RUSSIAN FEDERATION – TRADE RESTRICTING MEASURES – REQUEST FROM 
THE EUROPEAN UNION, JAPAN AND TH E UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ........................... 7  
13   JAPAN - WOOD USE POINTS PROGRAMME ................................................................ 7  
14   NIGERIA – LOCAL CONTENT MEASURES IN OIL AND GAS .......................................... 8  
15   NIGERIA – RESTRICTION/BAN IMPOSED BY NIGERIA TO IMPORTS OF SEA 
PRODUCTS ...................................................................................................................... . 8 
16   EUROPEAN UNION – THE EU RENEWABLE ENERGY DIRECTIVE (EU RED) – 
REQUEST FROM INDONESIA ............................................................................................. 8  
17   EUROPEAN UNION – RESTRICTIONS  ON THE IMPORTATION OF BIODIESEL 
FROM THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC: MINI STERIAL ORDER OF THE KINGDOM OF 
SPAIN NO. IET/822/2012 OF 20 APRIL 2012 AND RESOLUTION NO. 1173 OF 
24 JANUARY 2014 OF THE SECRETARIAT FOR ENERGY OF THE MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY, ENERGY AND TOURISM OF THE KINGDOM OF SPAIN – STATEMENT 
BY ARGENTINA ................................................................................................................ 8
 
18   UNITED STATES – ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (USEPA) – 
NOTICE ON DATA AVAILABILITY CONC ERNING RENEWABLE FUELS PRODUCED 
FROM PALM OIL UNDER THE RENEWABLE FUEL STANDARD (RFS) PROGRAM – 
REQUEST FROM INDONESIA ............................................................................................. 9  
19   EUROPEAN UNION – UNFAVOURABLE PRACTICES AFFECTING PALM OIL – 
REQUEST FROM INDONESIA ............................................................................................. 9  
20   BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA – MEASURES AFFECTING TRADE IN 
GOODS –STATEMENT BY PANAMA .................................................................................... 9  
21   EUROPEAN UNION – AUTONOMOUS PREFERENTIAL MEASURES IN RESPECT 
OF UKRAINE – REQUEST FROM THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION ............................................. 9  
22   TRADE RESTRICTIVE MEASURES BY CERTAIN WTO MEMBERS – REQUEST 
FROM THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION .................................................................................... 9  
23   BRAZIL – IMPORT DUTIES ON DIAMMONIUM PHOSPHATE (DAP) – REQUEST 
FROM THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION .................................................................................. 10  
24   NORWAY – MEASURES AFFECTING TRADE IN FISH GOODS – REQUEST FROM 
THE RUSSIAN FE DERATION............................................................................................ 10  
25   KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN – CUST OMS DUTIES ON CIGARETTES ................................. 10  
26   UKRAINE – ANTI-DUMPING MEASURE ON IMPORTS OF AMMONIUM 
NITRATE FROM THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION ................................................................... 10  
27   CANADA – PREFERENTIAL MEASUR ES UNDER CANADA'S TARIFF REGIME – 
REQUEST FROM THE SEPARATE CUSTOM S TERRITORY OF TAIWAN, PENGHU, 
KINMEN AND MATSU ...................................................................................................... 10  
28   STATEMENT BY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON DATA, 
HS TRANSPOSITION WORK, AND OU TSTANDING NOTI FICATIONS ................................ 10  
29   WORK PROGRAMME ON ELECTRONIC CO MMERCE ................................................... 10  
30   CONSIDERATION OF ANNUAL REPO RTS OF SUBSIDIARY BODIES OF THE 
COUNCIL FOR TRAD E IN GOODS .................................................................................... 11  
31   ADOPTION OF THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN 
GOODS TO THE GENE RAL COUN CIL ................................................................................ 11  
 G/L/1094 
 
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  1  ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON OF THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS 
1.1.  At its meeting of 9 April, the Council elected Ambassador Joakim REITER (Sweden) as its 
Chairperson for 2014. 1.2.  At the meeting on 17 November, and foll owing the departure of Ambassador Reiter from 
Geneva, as well as the consultation process under taken by the Chairperson of the General Council, 
the CTG elected Ambassador Atanas Atanassov PAPARIZOV (Bulgaria), as its Chairperson for the remaining period of 2014. 
2  APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS FOR THE SUBSIDIARY BODIES  OF THE COUNCIL 
2.1.  At its meeting of 9 April, the Council agre ed on the nominations of the following persons as 
Chairpersons of its subsidiary bodies for 2014: 
Subsidiary Body Chairperson 
Market Access Mrs Alana HUDSON (New Zealand) 
Agriculture Mrs Miriam Beatriz CHAVES (Argentina) 
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measur es Mrs Lillian BWALYA (Zambia) 
Technical Barriers to Trade Mr Filipe RAMALHEIRA (Portugal) 
TRIMs Mr Víctor ECHEVARRÍA UGARTE (Spain) 
Anti-Dumping Practices Mr Andrew STAINES (UK) 
Subsidies and Countervailin g Measures Mr Eduardo MINORU CHIKUSA (Brazil) 
Safeguards Ms Kim KAMPEL (South Africa) 
Import Licensing Mr Tsot etsi 'MAKONG (Lesotho) 
Rules of Origin Mr Ken Chang-keng CHEN (Chinese Taipei) 
Customs Valuation Ms Joanna K. Y. CHEUNG (Hong Kong, China) 
State Trading Enterprises Mr Mohamed AL-SAADI (Oman) 
Committee of Participants on the Expansion of Trade 
in Information Technology Products (ITA Committee) Mr Frédéric PAYOT (Switzerland) 
 
2.2.  At the same meeting, the Council agreed to proceed on the understanding that, as concerns the Vice-Chairpersons, it would be for the subs idiary bodies to decide if they needed a 
Vice-Chairperson in cases where the option exis ted under the respective Agreement and/or rules 
of procedure, and for the respective Chairperson to hold the necessary consultations. 
3  MATTERS OF THE COMMITTEE ON MARKET ACCESS 
3.1  Derestriction of Historical Bilatera l Negotiating Documentation of the Kennedy 
Round 
3.1.  At its meeting of 19 June, the Council cons idered and approved the draft decision on the 
"Derestriction of Historical Bilateral Negotiating Documentation of the Kennedy Round" contained 
in document G/MA/W/113, which was previously  discussed and approved by the Committee on 
Market Access (CMA) on 15 May 2014. This Deci sion, once approved, was forwarded to the 
General Council for adoption. 
3.2  Collective waiver requests on the introduction of the Harmonized System 2002, 
2007 and 2012 
3.2.  At its meeting of 17 November, the Council considered three collective waiver requests on 
the introduction of Harmonized System 2002, 2007 and 2012 changes into WTO Schedules of 
Concessions (see Point 4 below). G/L/1094 
 
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  4  WAIVERS UNDER ARTICLE IX OF THE WTO AGREEMENT 
Introduction of Harmonized System 2002  changes into WTO Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions: 
Collective request for a waiver extension (G/C/W/702) 
4.1.  At its meeting of 17 November, the Council considered a collective request for an extension 
of the waiver in connection with the introduction of HS2002 changes to the Schedules of 
Concessions. The Council approved the waiver request and recommended that the draft decision 
(G/C/W/702) be forwarded to the General Council for adoption. 
Introduction of Harmonized System 2007  changes into WTO Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions: 
Collective request for a waiver extension (G/C/W/703/Rev.1) 
4.2.  At its meeting of 17 November, the Council considered a collective request for an extension 
of the waiver in connection with the introduction of HS 2007 changes to the Schedules of 
Concessions. The Council approved the waiver request and recommended that the draft decision 
(G/C/W/703/Rev.1) be forwarded to the General Council for adoption. 
Introduction of Harmonized System 2012  changes into WTO Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions: 
Collective request for a waiver (G/C/W/704) 
4.3.  At its meeting of 17 November, the Council considered a collective request for a waiver in 
connection with the introduction of HS 2012 change s to the Schedules of Concessions. The Council 
approved the waiver request and recommended that  the draft decision (G/C/W/704) be forwarded 
to the General Council for adoption. 
Philippines – Request for a Waiver relating to Special Treatment for Rice of the 
Philippines (G/C/W/665/Rev.4) 
4.4.  At its meeting of 9 April, the Philippines informed the Council on the further consultations and 
discussions it had held with interested delegations on this issue. The Council took note of the 
statements made by Australia, Canada, China, Indi a, Indonesia, Thailand, the United States and 
Viet Nam, regarding their concerns, discussions and negotiations with the Philippines on this issue, 
and agreed to revert to this request at its next meeting. 
4.5.  At its meeting of 19 June, the Council approved the waiver request submitted by the 
Philippines in document G/C/W/665/Rev.4 and agreed that the draft waiver decision and its Annex 
(attached to G/C/W/665/Rev.4) be forwar ded to the General Council for adoption. 
Jordan – Request for a Waiver relating to th e Transitional Period for the Elimination of 
the Export Subsidy Program for Jordan (G/C/W/705) 
 
4.6.  At its meeting of 17 November, the Council considered a waiver request and a draft waiver 
decision concerning the Transitional Period for the Elimination of the Export Subsidy Program for 
Jordan (G/C/W/705). The Council took note of  the statement made by Jordan; and of the 
statements made by the Kingdom of Bahrain; Canada; China; Egypt; the European Union; Japan; Korea; the State of Kuwait (on its own behalf and on behalf of the Arab Group); New Zealand; Oman; Qatar; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Tunisia; Turkey; and the United States of America. The 
Council agreed to revert to this issue at its first meeting in 2015; and the Chairperson indicated 
that, since the 90 days for consideration of a waiver request to which Article IX:3(b) of the Marrakesh Agreement refers falls on 16 February 2015, he intended to make a factual report to 
the General Council on this issue at its meeting of 19 February 2015. G/L/1094 
 
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  United States of America – Request for a waiver relating to the Caribbean Basin 
Economic Recovery Act (G/C/W/708)  4.7.  At its meeting on 25 November the Council considered a waiver request and a draft waiver 
decision submitted by the United States of America relating to the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act contained in document G/C/W/708. The Council took note of the statement made by the United States of America and of the statemen ts made by the European Union; Saint Lucia on 
behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM); and Jamaica. The Council will revert to this issue 
at its first meeting in 2015. 
5  EUROPEAN UNION ENLARGEMENT: PR OCEDURES UNDER ARTICLE XXVIII:3 OF 
GATT 1994 (G/L/1051/ADD.1 AND G/L/1051/ADD.2) 
5.1  Enlargement of the European Union on 1 January 2007 
5.1.  At its meeting of 9 April, the European Un ion informed the Council that GATT Article XXVIII.3 
procedures concerning the EU enlargement of 2007 had been completed; all the agreements had 
been published, and since the period in which Members' rights were preserved expired on 
1 July 2014, the EU considered that this period did not need to be extended. 
5.2  Enlargement of the European Union on 1 July 2013 (G/L/1051/Add.1 and 
G/L/1051/Add.2) 
5.2.  At the meeting of 9 April the Council agreed to the extension of the deadline set out in the 
communication G/L/1051/Add.1 from the European Union, or until 1 January 2015. 5.3.  At the meeting on 17 November the Council agreed to the extension of the deadline set out 
in the communication G/L/1051/Add.2 from the European Union, or until 1 July 2015. 
6  NOTIFICATION OF REGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS 6.1.  At its meetings on 9 April, 19 June, and 17 November, the Council was informed of the 
following notifications on regional trade agreements: 
 Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, 
Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (WT/REG348/N/1); 
 
 Free Trade Agreement between Mexico and Ce ntral America – Costa Rica, El Salvador, 
Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua (WT/REG349/N/1/Rev.1); 
 
 Agreement between Singapore and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, 
Kinmen and Matsu on Economic Partnership (WT/REG350/N/1); 
 
 Free Trade Agreement between Switzerland and China (WT/REG351/N/1); 
 
 Association Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova 
(WT/REG352/N/1 and WT/REG352/N/1/Add.1); 
 
 Association Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine (WT/REG353/N/1); 
 
 Association Agreement between the European Union and Georgia (WT/REG354/N/1 and 
WT/REG354/N/1/Add.1); 
 
 Free Trade Agreement between Icel and and China (WT/REG355/N/1); 
 
 Free Trade Agreement between Hong Kong , China and Chile (WT/REG/356/N/1). 
 
6.2.  At the meeting on 17 November, the Council took note of the statement made by the Russian 
Federation concerning the agreements concluded by the European Union with several Members, 
including Ukraine. It also took note of the responses given by the European Union. G/L/1094 
 
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  7  NOTIFICATIONS 
- Status of notifications under the provisio ns of the Agreements in Annex 1A of the 
WTO Agreement 
7.1.  At its meeting of 9 April, the Council took note of the latest revision of the status of 
notifications contained in document G/L/223/Rev.21. At that meeting the delegations of Australia, 
Chinese Taipei, and Japan thanked the Secretariat fo r the revised format to reduce the length of 
the document. 
- Notifications of actions taken under the 1999 Waiver for Preferential Tariff 
Treatment for Least Developed Countries (WT/L/304 and WT/L/759) 
7.2.  At its meeting of 19 June, the Council took note of the notification submitted by Chile in 
document G/C/W/695 – WT/COMTD/N/44 on the implem entation of the benefits deriving from the 
elimination of its customs duties for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and of Chile's statement 
indicating that its Duty-Free Quota-Free (DFQF) Scheme was now operative and established a zero per cent duty for imports of goods originating in LDCs. 
8  GABON – SCHEDULE XLV II: RENEGOTIATIONS UNDER GATT ARTICLE XXVIII:4 AND 
ARTICLE XXIV:6 OF THE GATT 1994 (G/SECRET/36/ADD.1) 
8.1.  At its meeting of 9 April, the Council considered the request by Gabon contained in 
document G/SECRET/36/Add.1 to further extend for an additional period of 60 days or until 
17 June 2014, the period agreed to renegotiate it s Schedule of Concessions. The Council took note 
of the statements made by Gabon; Brazil; Cameroon; the European Union; Japan; Nigeria; and the United States, and agreed to further extend the renegotiation period for Gabon until 
17 June 2014. 
8.2.  At its meeting of 19 June, the Council took note of the statement by Gabon indicating that 
there were ongoing and pending discussions with interested delegations on the renegotiation of its 
Schedule of Concessions, and agreed to furthe r extend the renegotiation period for Gabon until 
15 September 2014. 
8.3.  In a communication dated 12 September 2014, and in light of renegotiations pending with a 
number of Members, the delegation of Gabon once more requested an extension of the 
renegotiation period of its Schedule of Conce ssion for a further period of 90 days, or until 
16 December 2014. In the absence of written objections to this request, it was understood that the Council had agreed on this further extension and that the issue would be included in the 
agenda of the Council's meeting scheduled to take place on Monday, 17 November 2014. 
8.4.  At its meeting on 17 November, the Council took note of the statement made by the Minister 
of Commerce, Small and Medium Size Enterprise s, Crafts and Services Development of Gabon 
informing delegations that Gabon had concluded the renegotiations of its Schedule of 
Concessions XLVII with interested Members. The Co uncil took note of the statements made by the 
European Union, Japan, Morocco, and the United St ates, and of the information by the Chair that 
Gabon had to continue with the further steps of GATT Article XXVIII. 
9  BRAZIL – INDIRECT TAXATION: CONDITIO NS TO OBTAIN TAX BENEFITS IN VARIOUS 
SECTORS – STATEMENT BY JAPAN 
9.1.  At its meetings of 9 April and 19 June, th e Council took note of the statements made by 
Australia; Canada; the European Union; Japan; Korea; and the United States of America on the 
Brazilian programme INOVAR-AUTO and the use by Brazil of indirect taxes to various other sectors. The Council also took note of the responses from Brazil on its tax system measures. 
10  INDONESIA'S IMPORT AND EXPORT RESTRICTING POLICIES AND PRACTICES – 
REQUEST FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION, JAPAN, AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 
10.1.  At its meetings of 9 April and 19 June, the Council took note of the statements made by 
Australia; Canada; Chinese Taipei; the European Union; Japan; Korea; New Zealand; Thailand; G/L/1094 
 
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  and the United States reiterating their continued concerns about Indonesia's use of protectionist 
measures, including import entry restrictions, non-automatic licensing requirements, export restrictions, discriminatory taxation, local conten t requirements, and of the Industry and Trade 
Laws. The Council also took note of the responses by Indonesia. 
10.2.  At its meeting of 17 November, the Council took note of the statements made by Canada, 
the European Union, Japan, Korea, and the United States of America, on their continued concerns 
about Indonesia's increased trade and investment restrictions that affected a broad range of 
sectors, including agriculture, information and communications technology, energy, and consumer 
goods. Indonesia's new Government was encouraged to improve the business and investment climate and to ease the import licensing system. The Council also took note of the responses by Indonesia. 
11  UKRAINE – TRADE POLICY AND MEASURES – STATEMENT BY JAPAN 
11.1.  At its meeting of 9 April, the Council consid ered this issue at the request of Japan and took 
note of the statements made by Australia; Japa n; the European Union; and the United States 
regarding the market–oriented reforms and measures put in place by the new Ukrainian 
government, and their call to Ukraine to reconsider the withdrawal of its Article XXVIII notification. It also took note of the response by Ukraine. 
12  RUSSIAN FEDERATION – TRADE RESTRICTING MEASURES – REQUEST FROM THE 
EUROPEAN UNION, JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 
12.1.  At its meeting of 9 April, the Council took note of the statements made by Australia; 
Chinese Taipei; the European Union; Japan; Korea; New Zealand; Switzerland; Ukraine; and the 
United States regarding their continued concerns over the lack of implementation of the Russian 
Federation's accession commitments and various trade restricting measures, including, among others, lack of transparency concerning import licensing procedures, technical regulations and 
safeguard measures; lack of implementation of bound rates in respect of various tariff lines; lack 
of information concerning its Customs Union and the implementation of sanitary and phytosanitary obligations; import ban on some agricultural pr oducts; and trade defence measures. The Council 
also took note of the responses given by the Russian Federation. 
12.2.  At its meeting of 19 June the Council t ook note of the statements made by Australia; 
Canada; Chinese Taipei; the European Union; Korea; New Zealand; Ukraine; and the United States 
on their concerns with regard to the non-implementation of WTO bound rates for import duties; 
trade defence measures; the reintroduction of a li st of wood exporters and the lack of timely 
notifications. It also took note of the responses given by the Russian Federation on these issues. 
12.3.  At its meeting of 17 November, the Council took note of the statements made by Australia; 
Canada; Chinese Taipei; the European Union; Japan; Korea; New Zealand; the United States; and 
Ukraine reiterating their concerns about the Ru ssian Federation's trade restricting measures, 
including those preventing agricultural products from transiting through the Russian Federation's 
territory to countries in Central Asia, and of Russia's trend to discriminate against imported 
products in favour of like domestic products. The Council also took note of the responses given by the Russian Federation. 
13  JAPAN - WOOD USE POINTS PROGRAMME 
13.1.  At its meeting of 9 April, the Council consid ered this issue at the request of the delegations 
of Canada and the European Union. The Council took note of the statements made by Canada; the 
European Union; Indonesia; New Zealand; and the United States, and of the responses by Japan. 
Canada circulated additional written questions to Japan in document G/C/W/690 and Japan 
circulated its responses to the additional questions by Canada in document G/C/W/693. 
13.2.  At its meeting of 19 June, the Council considered this issue at the request of the delegations 
of Canada; the European Union; and Norway. The Council took note of the statements made by 
Canada; the European Union; New Zealand; Norway; Indonesia; and the United States, and of the responses by Japan. The Council also took note of the written responses of Japan (document G/C/W/700) to the additional questions posed by Canada in document G/C/W/696. G/L/1094 
 
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  14  NIGERIA – LOCAL CONTENT MEASURES IN OIL AND GAS 
14.1.  At its meeting of 9 April, the Council consid ered this issue at the request of the delegations 
of the European Union and the United States. The Council took note of the statements made by 
Australia; the European Union; Japan; and the United States on their concerns regarding the Local 
Content Act of 2010 and the review of Schedule A of  such Law. The Council also took note of the 
responses by Nigeria. 
14.2.  At its meeting of 19 June, the Council considered this issue at the request of the delegation 
of the European Union. The Council took note of  the statements made by Australia; the European 
Union; and the United States on the mandatory us e of locally manufactured products in the oil and 
gas industry, and about the possible extension of local content requirements to additional goods 
and services. The Council also took note of the responses by Nigeria. 
14.3.  At its meeting of 17 November, the Council  considered this issue at the request of the 
delegation of the European Union. The Council took note of the statements made by Canada; the 
European Union; Japan; Korea; and the United States, recalling the concerns previously raised in 
the Goods Council and in other WTO bodies about a growing number of trade and investment 
restrictions affecting a broad range of sectors. It also took note of the responses by Nigeria. 
15  NIGERIA – RESTRICTION/BAN IMPOSED BY NIGERIA TO IMPORTS OF SEA 
PRODUCTS 
15.1.  At its meeting of 19 June, the Council cons idered this issue at the request of Iceland, 
Norway, and Uruguay, and took note of the st atements made by Chile; the European Union; 
Iceland; Norway; the United States; and Uruguay, reiterating concerns about the possible 
reduction of imports of sea products into Nigeria. It also took note of the statement made by 
Nigeria. 
15.2.  At its meeting of 17 November, the Council co nsidered this issue at the request of Chile; the 
European Union; Iceland; Norway; and the United States; and took note of the statements made 
by Chile; the European Union; Iceland; Norway ; Uruguay; and the United States of America 
reiterating their concerns over the import restrict ions of sea products. It also took note of the 
responses by Nigeria. 
16  EUROPEAN UNION – THE EU RENEWABLE ENERGY DIRECTIVE (EU RED) – REQUEST 
FROM INDONESIA 
16.1.  At its meeting of 9 April, the Council took note of the statements made by Argentina; 
Indonesia; and Malaysia about the European Union Energy Directive No. 2009/28/EC on the use of 
energy from renewable sources and its impact on the market access conditions for biodiesel imported into the EU market. The Council also t ook note of the responses given by the European 
Union. 
17  EUROPEAN UNION – RESTRICTIONS ON  THE IMPORTATION OF BIODIESEL FROM 
THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC: MINISTERIAL ORDER OF THE KINGDOM OF SPAIN 
NO. IET/822/2012 OF 20 APRIL 2012 AND RESOLUTION NO. 1173 OF 24 JANUARY 2014 
OF THE SECRETARIAT FOR ENERGY OF THE MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY, ENERGY AND TOURISM OF THE KINGDOM OF SP AIN – STATEMENT BY ARGENTINA  
17.1.  At its meeting of 9 April, the Council took note of the statements made by Argentina; 
Indonesia; and Malaysia concerning the selection process of firms to which quotas of biofuel would 
be allocated in accordance with the Ministerial Or der No. IET/822/2012. The Council also took note 
of the responses by the European Union. G/L/1094 
 
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  18  UNITED STATES – ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (USEPA) – NOTICE ON 
DATA AVAILABILITY CONCER NING RENEWABLE FUELS PRODUCED FROM PALM OIL 
UNDER THE RENEWABLE FUEL STANDARD (RFS) PROGRAM – REQUEST FROM INDONESIA 
18.1.  At its meeting of 9 April, the Council took  note of the statement made by Indonesia on the 
US Congress Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Pr ogram which established a mandatory minimum 
volume of biofuel to be used in the national tran sportation fuel supply. The Council also took note 
of the responses by the United Sates. 
19  EUROPEAN UNION – UNFAVOURABLE PRACTICES AFFECTING PALM OIL – REQUEST 
FROM INDONESIA 
19.1.  At its meeting on 19 June, the Council took  note of the statement made by Indonesia about 
the imposition by the EU of anti-dumping duties on imports of biodiesel from Indonesia and about 
the campaign in the EU market against food containing oil derived from palm oil; it also took note of the responses provided by the European Union. 
20  BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA – MEASURES AFFECTING TRADE IN GOODS –
STATEMENT BY PANAMA 
20.1.  At its meeting of 9 April, the Council considered this issue at the request of the delegation of 
Panama, and took note of the statements made by Cuba; Ecuador; Nicaragua; Panama; and the 
Plurinational State of Bolivia on the measures adopted by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Decree 600 of 21 November 2013 aimed at controlling costs and to establish fair prices. The Council also took note of the responses give n by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. 
21  EUROPEAN UNION – AUTONOMOUS PREFERENTIAL MEASURES IN RESPECT OF 
UKRAINE – REQUEST FROM THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION 
21.1.  At its meeting on 9 April, the Council considered this issue at the request of the Russian 
Federation under the Agenda item "Other Business", and took note of the statements made by the 
Russian Federation and Ukraine in respect of th e announcement made by the EU in March 2014 to 
temporarily remove customs duties on Ukrainian exports to the EU; it also took note of the 
responses given by the European Union. 
21.2.  At its meeting on 19 June, the Council considered this issue at the request of the Russian 
Federation and took note of the statements ma de by Argentina; the Bolivarian Republic of 
Venezuela; Nicaragua; the Russian Federation; an d Ukraine on the unilateral preferences of the 
European Union in favour of Ukraine; it also took note of the responses given by the European 
Union. 
22  TRADE RESTRICTIVE MEASURES BY CERTAIN WTO MEMBERS – REQUEST FROM THE 
RUSSIAN FEDERATION 
22.1.  At its meeting of 9 April, the Council considered this issue at the request of the Russian 
Federation under the Agenda item "Other Business" and under the title "Restrictive trade measures 
declared by certain Members". The Council took  note of the statement made by the Russian 
Federation about the Executive Orders of 6, 17 and 20 March 2014 adopted by the United States 
of America which entitled the US Treasury to list individuals from the Russian Federation whose assets within the US territory, owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, had been blocked. It also 
took note of the response provided by the United States. 
22.2.  At its meeting of 19 June, the Council cons idered, at the request of the Russian Federation, 
the issue of "Trade Restrictive Measures by ce rtain Members". The Council took note of the 
statements made by the Russian Federation in respect of the measures adopted by the United 
States of America and Canada to block assets of certain persons and to prohibit any transactions with these persons; it also took note of the re sponses provided by Canada and the United States. G/L/1094 
 
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  23  BRAZIL – IMPORT DUTIES ON DIAMMONIUM PHOSPHATE (DAP) – REQUEST FROM 
THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION 
23.1.  At its meeting of 19 June, the Council t ook note of the statement made by the Russian 
Federation on the import duties applied by Braz il to Diammonium Phosphate; and of the responses 
by Brazil. 
24  NORWAY – MEASURES AFFECTING TRADE IN FISH GOODS – REQUEST FROM THE 
RUSSIAN FEDERATION 
24.1.  At its meeting on 19 June, the Council took note of the statement made by the Russian 
Federation on the prohibition on sales or exports of wild living maritime resources established by 
Norway when these did not take place through an  authorized fisherman's own sales organization 
or without its authorization; it also took note of the response provided by Norway. 
25  KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN – CUSTOMS DUTIES ON CIGARETTES 
25.1.  At its meeting of 19 June, the Council considered this issue at the request of Switzerland 
under the Agenda item "Other Business". The Co uncil took note of the statement made by 
Switzerland about the customs duties currently ap plied by the Kingdom of Bahrain on cigarettes 
which consisted of a mixed duty of 100% ad valorem with a minimum charge of 10 Bahraini dinars per 1,000 cigarettes. 
25.2.  At its meeting on 17 November, the Council considered this issue at the request of 
Switzerland and took note of Switzerland's statement reiterating its concerns about the Kingdom 
of Bahrain's duties currently levied on cigarettes which were higher than those in Bahrain's Schedule of Concessions. The Council also took note of the response given by Bahrain. 
26  UKRAINE – ANTI-DUMPING MEASURE ON  IMPORTS OF AMMONIUM NITRATE FROM 
THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION 
26.1.  At its meeting of 17 November, the Council  considered this issue at the request of the 
delegation of the Russian Federation, and took note of the statement it made reiterating the 
concerns already expressed at the October 2014 meeting of the Committee on Anti-Dumping which referred to the WTO consistency of Ukraine's reviews of its anti-dumping measure on 
ammonium nitrate originating in the Russian Federation. The Council also took note of the 
responses given by Ukraine. 
27  CANADA – PREFERENTIAL MEASURES UNDER CANADA'S TARIFF REGIME – REQUEST 
FROM THE SEPARATE CUSTOMS TERRITORY OF TAIWAN, PENGHU, KINMEN AND MATSU 
27.1.  At its meeting of 17 November, the Council  considered this issue at the request of the 
Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, and took note of the 
statements made by Chinese Taipei about the possible discriminatory aspects of Canada's General 
Preferential Tariffs (GPT) scheme. It also  took note of the responses by Canada. 
28  STATEMENT BY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON DATA, HS TRANSPOSITION 
WORK, AND OUTSTANDING NOTIFICATIONS 
28.1.  At its meeting of 9 April, the Council took  note of the statements made by Canada; Chinese 
Taipei; the European Union; Japan; and the United  States of America on the call to Members by 
the United States to complete and update thei r data on trade trends, the changes in their 
HS nomenclature, as well as their notification obligations. 
29  WORK PROGRAMME ON  ELECTRONIC COMMERCE 
29.1.  At its meeting of 9 April, the Chairperson reminded delegations that Ministers in Bali agreed, 
first, to continue with the positive work under the Work Programme on E-Commerce based on its 
existing mandate and guidelines and on the ba sis of proposals submitted by Members in the 
respective WTO bodies; second, to instruct the General Council and its relevant bodies, including this Council, to continue to reinvigorate this work, especially under the initiatives taken in relation G/L/1094 
 
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  to commercial issues, development, and evolving te chnologies; and third, that any relevant body 
of the Work Programme might explore appropriate mechanisms to address the relationship between electronic commerce and development in a focused and comprehensive manner. He 
invited delegations to express their opinions and to make suggestions as to how to work on the 
preparations of the periodic reviews to be held in the General Council at its sessions in July and 
December of 2014, and in July of 2015. At th at meeting the Council also took note of the 
statement made by Cuba. 
29.2.  At its meeting on 19 June, the Chairperson recalled the Bali mandate on the Work 
Programme on E-commerce and invited delegations to make further comments on this issue. He 
also informed delegations that he would prepare a factual report to the General Council at its meeting on the 24
th and 25th of July2. 
29.3.  At its meeting on 17 November the Chairperson recalled the Bali mandate on the Work 
Programme on E-commerce and invited delegations to make further comments on this issue. He 
also informed delegations that he would prepare a factual report3 to the General Council at its 
meeting on 10 December 2014. 
30  CONSIDERATION OF ANNUAL REPORTS OF  SUBSIDIARY BODIES  OF THE COUNCIL 
FOR TRADE IN GOODS 
30.1.  At its meeting of 17 November, the Council t ook note of the annual reports of its subsidiary 
bodies.4 
31  ADOPTION OF THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS TO THE 
GENERAL COUNCIL 
31.1.  At its meeting of 17 November, the Counc il adopted its Annual Report (2014) to the 
General Council. 
__________  
 
                                               
2 See document G/C/54. 
3 See document G/C/55. 
4 Agriculture (G/L/1093); TRIMs (G/L/1091); Subsidie s and Countervailing Measures (G/L/1077); Anti-
dumping (G/L/1079); Safeguards (G/L/1087); Market Access (G/L/1084); Import Licensing (G/L/1078); Customs Valuation (G/L/1082); Sanitary and Ph ytosanitary Measures (G/L/1086); ITA (G/L/1088); 
Preshipment Inspection and Independen t entity (G/L/1083); Rules of Origin (G/L/1085); Technical Barriers to 
Trade (G/L/1092); and Working Party on State Trading Enterprises (G/L/1090).