Shortage clause
Article 27
1. Where compliance with the provisions of this Title leads to: (a) a critical shortage, or threat thereof, of foodstuffs or other products essential to the exporting Party; or (b) re-export to a third country of a product against which the exporting Party maintains quantitative export restrictions, export duties or measures or charges having equivalent effect, and where the situations referred to above give rise, or are likely to give rise to major difficulties for the exporting Party that Party may take appropriate measures under the conditions and in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Article. 2. In the selection of measures, priority must be given to those which least disturb the functioning of the arrangements in this Agreement. Such measures shall not be applied in a manner which would constitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination where the same conditions prevail, or a disguised restriction on trade and shall be eliminated when the conditions no longer justify their maintenance. 3. Before taking the measures provided for in paragraph 1 or, as soon as possible in cases to which paragraph 4 applies, the Community or Montenegro, shall supply the Interim Committee with all relevant information, with a view to seeking a solution acceptable to the Parties. The Parties within the Interim Committee may agree on any means needed to put an end to the difficulties. If no agreement is reached within 30 days of the matter being referred to the Interim Committee, the exporting Party may apply measures under this Article on the exportation of the product concerned. 4. Where exceptional and critical circumstances requiring immediate action make prior information or examination, as the case may be, impossible, the Community or Montenegro may apply forthwith the precautionary measures necessary to deal with the situation and shall inform the other Party immediately thereof. 5. Any measures applied pursuant to this Article shall be immediately notified to the Interim Committee and shall be the subject of periodic consultations within that body, particularly with a view to establishing a timetable for their elimination as soon as circumstances permit.