Actas - Consejo de los ADPIC - Ver detalles de la intervención/declaración

Ambassador Mothusi Palai (Botswana)
12 1 CONCERNS WITH RESPECT TO PROPOSALS FOR PLAIN PACKAGING OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND Ireland
434. Cuba shares the concerns expressed by the Dominican Republic and thanks it for having this item placed on the Council agenda. 435. It is important for Cuba, as one of the complainants in the ongoing proceedings concerning the plain packaging measure, to reiterate its concern over the negative impact of the Australian regulations and similar legislation that might be adopted by other Members. Cuba reiterates its commitment to public health and to measures adopted for its protection. 436. However, in this instance these are sui generis measures that could create a dangerous precedent and be extended to other products. The plain packaging measure involves dilution of the distinctive features of tobacco product brands. It makes it difficult for consumers to identify these products, so that brands no longer serve their purpose. 437. We are in favour of Members refraining from taking measures of this nature until the end of the dispute settlement proceedings currently under way in the DSB.
The Council took note of the statements made.
12.1. The Chairman said that this item had been put on the agenda at the written request by the delegation of the Dominican Republic.

12.2. The representatives of the Dominican Republic; the European Union; Nicaragua; Honduras; Cuba; Indonesia; Nigeria; Zimbabwe; Australia; Uruguay; Canada; Norway; New Zealand; and the World Health Organization took the floor.

12.3. The Council took note of the statements made.

IP/C/M/78, IP/C/M/78/Add.1