The Faroe Islands’ request to set up a WTO panel for the ongoing Atlanto-Scandian herring dispute has been blocked by the European Union.
The Faroes Islands called for the panel as a result of the trade sanctions that were put in force by the EU in August 2013 and mean that European countries can not import herring landed by the Faroese.
"This is very regrettable,” said Faroese Prime Minister Kaj Leo Holm Johannesen. “I would have hoped that the European Union would cooperate to have a third instance examine whether the measures are in breach of its international commitments under the WTO Agreement or whether the prohibitions and restrictions may be justified under the WTO Agreement, rather than postponing this important step in order to ensure the sustainable management of the Atlanto-Scandian herring."
The establishment of the panel has now been set back to the next meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body, taking place on 26 February 2014.
