Canada noted that the revised IRA backtracked from the conclusions of the IRA of May 1995. In December 1996, Australia finalized the IRA and announced that the import ban would be maintained on imports of Canadian fresh, chilled, and frozen salmon. Dispute Settlement Panel was established to hear Canada's complaint on the Australian ban. Following an appeal by Australia, the WTO Appellate Body upheld the Panel rulings on October 20, 1998. Under the new measures, Canadian salmon must be eviscerated, headed, gilled, washed, inspected, graded, and come from a population for which there is a documented health surveillance system.
Additional certification is needed for Atlantic salmon.
A WTO Panel was therefore set up to determine whether Australia's new fish import policies are consistent with Australia's WTO obligations. In parallel to the WTO process and in an effort to facilitate trade wherever possible, technical discussions took place between Canada and Australia. Canada was able to negotiate an interim fish health certificate allowing limited access for wild-caught and farmed salmon subject to the restrictions outlined in the July 19 announcement. At Canada's request, Canada and Australia held discussions during the week of February 14 in an attempt to find a mutually acceptable solution. Next Steps Canada is now in a position to retaliate against Australia.