Canada–Australia salmon trade dispute

In 1995, Canada made a complaint to the World Trade Organization, of which both countries are members, about Australia's restriction on imports of fresh salmon, which were part of a quarantine measure for health purposes.

The WTO ordered Australia to lift its ban and increased quarantine requirements not only for salmon, but for imports of other species of fish as well.

In the 1990s, major world salmon exporters include Canada, Norway, Chile, Scotland, Sweden, Denmark, New Zealand, and Australia.

"[3] In June 1998, Australia filed a notice of its intention to appeal the panel's decision to the WTO Appellate Body.

[3] The Appellate Body reversed the panel with respect to its reasoning on Articles 5.1 and 2.2 of the SPS Agreement, but found that Australia "had acted inconsistently" with those sections.

"[3] The decision directed Australia not only to lift the ban on Canadian salmon, but also the quarantine requirements for several other species of fish.

[3] In December 1998, Canada requested arbitration under to Article 21.3(c) of the Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU) "to determine the reasonable period of time for implementation of the recommendations of the DSB.

[3] At its meeting of 28 July 1999, the DSB agreed to take up Canada's request and referred the matter back to the original panel.

[3] In July 1999, before compliance proceedings began, Canada requested authorization from the DSB, pursuant to Article 22.2 of the DSU, to suspend concessions to Australia because of its non-compliance.

[3] Australia objected to Canada's proposed level of suspension of concessions and requested that the matter be referred to arbitration, pursuant to Article 22.6.

[6] The efforts Canada has put towards achieving a substantial export in their fish (salmon) shows speculation towards Australia.