New Zealand - Australia Apples Dispute

The parties have received the confidential version of the panel's interim report in the Apples dispute, and the New Zealand press (citing unnamed officials) is reporting a comprehensive victory for New Zealand.  Assuming this is indeed the result, on the one hand it is not surprising due to the similarities to the Japan - Apples dispute.  However, it will be interesting to see how the panel applied the concepts of deference elaborated in Hormones - Continued Suspension as the approach taken by the AB in that report is one that has evolved since the Japan - Apples dispute.  It will also be interesting to see if Australia appeals.