Minutes - TRIPS Council - View details of the intervention/statement

Ambassador Federico A. González (Paraguay) (24-25 October) and Mr. Martin Glass (Hong Kong, China) (17 November)
European Union
N AUSTRALIA'S TOBACCO PLAIN PACKAGING BILL 2011
425. The representative of the European Union said that his delegation was closely examining the proposal from Australia and, in the TBT Committee, had requested information on the scientific data, studies, impact assessment summary and background that had prompted Australia to propose the Bill. The European Union would also be interested in learning whether Australia had evaluated other legislative solutions and why these alternative solutions had been considered less effective than the proposed approach for achieving the legitimate health objective pursued. In this regard his delegation recalled that the legitimate public health interests needed to be consistent with the provisions of TRIPS, including its trademark rules. Finally, his delegation also wished to enquire about the envisaged legislative process and timing for the adoption of the proposal.
IP/C/M/67