Implementation of WTO Recommendations Concerning the European Communities' Regime for the Importation, Sale and Distribution of Bananas

January 1, 1999 is the deadline for the European Communities' (EC) implementation of the recommendations of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) concerning the EC regime for the importation, sale, and distribution of bananas (banana regime). The United States Trade Representative (USTR) is seeking written comments on: (1) the measures that the EC has undertaken to apply as of January 1, 1999 to implement the WTO recommendations concerning the EC banana regime; and (2) the USTR's proposed affirmative determination under section 306(b) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, (Trade Act) (19 U.S.C. Sec. 2416), that the measures fail to implement the WTO recommendations. The USTR must make the determination under section 306(b) no later than January 31, 1999.