MULTILATERAL-WHEAT -MAR. 23, 1949 paragraph 4 of this Article, the Executive Committee, in consultation with the Advisory Committee on Price Equivalents, shall on the re- quest of the exporting or importing country concerned decide the issue. 7. All decisions of the Executive Committee under paragraphs 4, 5, and 6 of this Article shall be binding on all exporting and importing countries, provided that any of those countries which considers that any such decision is disadvantageous to it may ask the Council to review that decision. 8. In order to encourage and expedite the conclusion of transactions in wheat between them at prices mutually acceptable in the light of all the circumstances, the exporting and importing countries, while reserving to themselves complete liberty of action in the determination and administration of their internal agricultural and price policies, shall endeavor not to operate those policies in such a way as to impede the free movement of prices between the maximum price and the minimum price in respect of transactions in wheat into which the exporting and importing countries are prepared to enter. Should any exporting or importing country consider that it is suffering hardship as the result of such policies, it may draw the attention of the Council to the matter and the Council shall inquire into and make a report on the complaint. ARTICLE VII Stocks 1. In order to assure supplies of wheat to importing countries, each exporting country shall endeavor to maintain stocks of old crop wheat at the end of its crop-year at a level adequate to ensure that it will A n t , p. 2174. fulfill its guaranteed sales under this Agreement in each subsequent crop-year. 2. In the event of a short crop being harvested by an exporting country, particular consideration shall be given by the Council to the efforts made by that exporting country to maintain adequate stocks as required by paragraph 1 of this Article before that country is relieved of any of its obligations under Article X. 3. In order to avoid disproportionate purchases of wheat at the beginning and end of a crop-year, which might prejudice the stabiliza- tion of prices under this Agreement and render difficult the fulfillment of the obligations of all exporting and importing countries, importing countries shall endeavor to maintain adequate stocks at all times. 4. In the event of an appeal by an importing country under Article XII, particular consideration shall be given by the Council to the P-2188 - efforts made by that importing country to maintain adequate stocks as required by paragraph 3 of this Article before it decides in favor of such an appeal. ARTICLE VIII Information to be Supplied to the Council The exporting and importing countries shall report to the Council, within the time prescribed by it, such information as the Council may request in connection with the administration of this Agreement. 63 STAT.] 2185
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