Ambassador Mothusi Palai (Botswana)

Canada

13 CONCERNS WITH RESPECT TO MEASURES RELATED TO PLAIN PACKAGING OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS AND THEIR COMPATIBILITY WITH THE TRIPS AGREEMENT

630. Canada continues to take an interest in the numerous developments surrounding the plain packaging of tobacco products. We recognize the challenge involved in applying tobacco control measures that have never been implemented before. We also recall the statement we made on the issue at our meeting inFebruary 2014 (see paragraph 531, p. 72 of the minutes circulated in document IP/C/M/75/Add.1) in which we stressed our interest in questions relating to the interpretation of the flexibilities provided for by the TRIPS Agreement. We are following the dispute settlement procedures that were recently initiated and look forward to participating in those procedures as a third party.

The Council took note of the statements made.

13.1. The Chairman said that this item had been put on the agenda at the written request by the delegation of Ukraine. After the circulation of the revised proposed agenda for this meeting, the Dominican Republic had indicated that it wished to co-sponsor the item.

13.2. The representatives of Ukraine; the Dominican Republic; Cuba; Indonesia; Honduras; Zimbabwe; Australia; Nicaragua; New Zealand; the European Union; Norway; Canada; Uruguay and the WHO took the floor.

13.3. The Council took note of the statements made.

IP/C/M/77, IP/C/M/77/Add.1