On 14 May Panama notified the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Committee on Safeguards that it had decided to initiate on 03 May a safeguard investigation on certain fresh, chilled or frozen meat of swine, on which comment is due by 03 June.
A safeguard investigation seeks to determine whether increased imports of a product are causing, or threatening to cause, serious injury to a domestic industry. During a safeguard investigation, importers, exporters and other interested parties may present evidence and views and respond to the presentations of other parties. A WTO member may take a safeguard action (i.e. restrict imports of a product temporarily) only if the increased imports of the product are found to be causing, or threatening to cause, serious injury.
Story by: Riaan de Lange