14/01/2010 (Agence Europe) - On 21 December, the EU submitted its request to the WTO Dispute Settlement Body for a panel to be set up to decide on its dispute with the Philippines over this latter's import regime for spirits (DS396). The EU is unhappy with the excise duty applied by Manila which is 10 to 50 times higher than the duty imposed on national spirits. Although they helped clarify measures taken by Manila and how they were being implemented, the consultations of 8 November 2009 between the EU and the Philippines did not bring a resolution of the dispute. The United States has expressed its interest in this case. (E.H./transl.rt)