Agriculture food and safety

A new booklet launched on 27 July highlights strong engagement from WTO members at all levels of development in transparency and prevention of trade disputes. The information contained in the booklet is based on the 2020 review of members’ implementation of the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (the “SPS Agreement”).

Co-published by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

En un nuevo folleto presentado el 27 de julio se destaca el firme compromiso de los Miembros de la OMC en todos los niveles de desarrollo con la transparencia y la prevención de diferencias comerciales. La información contenida en el folleto se basa en el examen de 2020 de la aplicación por los Miembros del Acuerdo sobre la Aplicación de Medidas Sanitarias y Fitosanitarias (el “Acuerdo MSF”).

Agricultural products worth over US$ 1,765 billion were traded in 2013. WTO rules help to ensure that these products are traded safely and that health protection measures are not used as an excuse for protecting domestic producers. This brochure, produced to mark the WTO’s 20th anniversary, looks into the key provisions of the Agreement and the work of the SPS Committee.

Accord sur les obstacles techniques au commerce L’Accord sur les obstacles techniques au commerce (OTC) vise à faire en sorte que les règlements, les normes et les procédures d’essai et de certification appliqués par les Membres de l’OMC ne créent pas d’obstacles non nécessaires au commerce. Examen annuel de l’Accord OTC Le Comité des obstacles techniques au commerce de l’OMC recueille chaque année des données sur la mise en oeuvre de Read More

Acuerdo sobre Obstáculos Técnicos al Comercio El Acuerdo sobre Obstáculos Técnicos al Comercio tiene por objeto velar por que los reglamentos, las normas y los procedimientos de prueba y certificación aplicados por los Miembros de la OMC no creen obstáculos innecesarios al comercio. Examen anual del Acuerdo OTC El Comité de Obstáculos Técnicos al Comercio de la OMC recopila anualmente datos sobre la aplicación del Acuerdo OTC. La info Read More

The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies aims to enhance the sustainability of fisheries resources by prohibiting some of the most harmful types of fisheries subsidies. Implementation of the Agreement will enhance fisheries sustainability, which in turn will make an important contribution to strengthening global food security. This report highlights the importance of international collaboration in assisting developing and least developed country (LDC) Read More

Part I described the system of food standards and trade rules created by members for members. With such a system in place, what is then required to keep it working and fit for purpose? And how can members take advantage of the benefits it has to offer?

This publication explains how international food safety standards are set through the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) Food Standards Programme – the Codex Alimentarius Commission – and how these standards are applied in the context of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreements on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) and on Technical Ba Read More

Trade can be more complicated than we think. What happens when two countries define the same product differently or if they set out different criteria to check that a product is safe? Let us think, for example, of the inconvenience as a traveller in havin 15 different types of electrical outlet plugs in the world, or the enormous infrastructure investment required for train cargo and passengers to travel across the border between two countries that have diffe Read More

Having decided to establish a basis for initiating a process of reform of trade in agriculture in line with the objectives of the negotiations as set out in the Punta del Este Declaration.

Agriculture is important, but trade is distorted by subsidies and protectionism — hurting producers (and some consumers) who are not supported or protected. The 1994 agreement is a first step in the effort to reduce the distortion.

This publication is the first WTO publication on illicit trade in food and food fraud. It includes contributions from participants in the WTO’s Annual Agriculture Symposium, held on 11 and 12 December 2023, which explored this topic. The Symposium was organized by the Agriculture and Commodities Division with the cooperation of the Office of the Deputy Director-General Jean-Marie Paugam.

Seed is the most important input in crop production. Reliable, high-quality seeds are vital to agriculture and the food supply chain. High-quality seeds enable farmers to boost crop productivity, improve livelihoods and feed a growing world population. In recent years, there has been an increase in illegal seed practices. Many of these practices constitute a violation of intellectual property rights, such as trademark infringements, including the production Read More

Agriculture, forestry and fishing contributed 4.3 per cent of global GDP in 2022 and account for large shares of the GDP for developing economies. A healthy agricultural sector is vital to eradicating hunger and poverty. Illicit trade in agri-food and beverages, in its various manifestations, undermines sustainable farming, limits crop yields and jeopardizes the delivery of fair, safe and sustainable food supplies. This chapter examines how this form of illicit act Read More

This chapter presents an overview of food fraud cases through a criminal justice lens, primarily focusing on the varied tactics employed by criminals to infiltrate the legitimate food supply chain and market fraudulent food products to unsuspecting consumers. These deceptive practices typically involve the manipulation of legal entities and operations. Our findings emphasize the need for a multifaceted criminal justice response, one that considers the Read More

This is the first WTO publication on illicit trade in food and food fraud. It includes contributions from participants in the WTO’s Annual Agriculture Symposium, held in Geneva, 11-12 December 2023, which explored this topic. At the Symposium, prominent experts discussed the various forms and definitions of illicit trade in food and food fraud, the links to international trade and ways to combat the phenomenon effectively.

All of the people and activities that play a part in growing, transporting, supplying and consuming food – known as the (agri-)food system – need to be involved in addressing the complexities of food fraud. Trade globalization, the lengthening of food supply chains, the fast growth of e-commerce of food and vast informal food economies all provide new possibilities for food fraud. This chapter presents different strategies for policymakers and regulator Read More

Le 09 septembre 1997, l’Organe d’appel a publié son rapport sur l’affaire “Communautes Europeennes - Regime applicable a l’importation, a la vente et a la distribution des bananes”.

El 03 de mayo de 2002, la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Chile - Sistema de bandas de precios y medidas de salvaguardia aplicados a determinados productos agrícolas”.

Le 15 octobre 2004, l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial dans l’affaire “Communautés européennes - Subventions à l’exportation de sucre”.

El 22 de diciembre de 2000, el Órgano de Apelación hizo público el informe sobre el caso “Estados Unidos - Medidas de salvaguardia definitivas impuestas a las importaciones de gluten de trigo procedentes de las Comunidades Europeas”.

El 20 de octubre de 2014 la OMC emitió los informes del Grupo Especial sobre el cumplimiento en las diferencias “Estados Unidos — Determinadas prescripciones en materia de etiquetado indicativo del país de origen (EPO) — Recurso del Canadá y México al párrafo 5 del artículo 21 del ESD” (DS384 y DS386).

El 29 de enero de 1996, la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Estados Unidos - Pautas para la gasolina reformulada y convencional”.

On 9 November 2017 the WTO, Appellate Body issued its report in the cases brought by New Zealand and the United States in “Indonesia - Importation of Horticultural Products, Animals and Animal Products”.

On 1 December 2008, Canada requested consultations with the United States concerning certain mandatory country of origin labelling (COOL) provisions in the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 as amended by the 2008 Farm Bill and as implemented through an Interim Final Rule of 28 July 2008. These include the obligation to inform consumers at the retail level of the country of origin in respect of covered commodities, including beef and pork. The eligibilit Read More

Le 9 novembre 2017, l’Organe d’appel de l’OMC a publié son rapport dans les affaires introduites par la Nouvelle-Zélande et les États-Unis “Indonésie — Importation de produits horticoles, d’animaux et de produits d’origine animale” (DS477 et DS478).

On 31 August 2007, New Zealand requested consultations with Australia concerning measures imposed by Australia on the importation of apples from New Zealand. On 27 March 2007, Australia's Director of Animal and Plant Quarantine determined a policy for the importation of apples from New Zealand: “Importation of apples can be permitted subject to the Quarantine Act 1908, and the application of phytosanitary measures as specified in the Fin Read More

On 8 October 1997, the United States requested consultations with Canada in respect of export subsidies allegedly granted by Canada on dairy products and the administration by Canada of the tariff-rate quota on milk. The United States contended that these export subsidies by Canada distort markets for dairy products and adversely affect US sales of dairy products. The United States alleged violations of Articles II, X and X1 of the GATT 1994, Articles 3, Read More

Le 2 septembre 2011, l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial chargé d’examiner la plainte déposée par l’Indonésie au sujet de l’interdiction imposée par les États-Unis visant les cigarettes aux clous de girofle (DS406)

El 4 de septiembre de 2008, un Grupo Especial de la OMC emitió su informe con respecto a la reclamación de las CE relativa a las medidas compensatorias definitivas impuestas por México sobre el aceite de oliva procedente de las Comunidades Europeas (DS341).

Le 14 octobre 2014, l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial concernant le différend soumis par les États-Unis “Inde — Mesures concernant l’importation de certains produits agricoles” (DS430).

El 15 de julio de 2003, la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Japón - Medidas que afectan a la importación de manzanas”.

On 27 September 2002 Brazil requested consultations with the United States regarding prohibited and actionable subsidies provided to US producers, users and/or exporters of upland cotton, as well as legislation, regulations, statutory instruments and amendments thereto providing such subsidies (including export credits), grants, and any other assistance to the US producers, users and exporters of upland cotton (“US upland cotton industry”). Brazil c Read More

On 5 October 2000, Argentina requested consultations with Chile concerning: the price band system established by Law 18.525 (as subsequently amended by Law 18.591 and Law 19.546), as well as implementing regulations and complementary and/or amending provisions; and the provisional safeguard measures adopted on 19 November 1999 by Decree No. 339 of the Ministry of Economy and the definitive safeguard measures imposed on 20 January 2000 Read More

El 29 de junio de 2012, el Órgano de Apelación de la OMC emitió sus informes sobre los asuntos “Estados Unidos — Determinadas prescripciones en materia de etiquetado indicativo del país de origen (EPO)” (DS384 y DS386).

El 11 de diciembre de 2000, el Órgano de Apelación hizo público el informe sobre el caso “Corea - Medidas que afectan a las importaciones de carne vacuna fresca, refrigerada y congelada”.

El 28 de abril de 2005, el Órgano de Apelación hizo público el informe sobre el caso “Comunidades Europeas - Subvenciones a la exportación de azúcar”.

On 12 April 2013, Guatemala requested consultations with Peru with respect to the imposition by Peru of an “additional duty” on imports of certain agricultural products, such as rice, sugar, maize, milk and certain dairy products. Guatemala claims that the measure at issue is inconsistent with: - Article 4.2 and footnote 1 of the Agreement on Agriculture; - Articles II:1(a), II:1(b), X:1, X:3(a), XI and XI:1 of the GATT 1994; and - Articles 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 Read More

Le 03 décembre 2001, l’Organe d’appel a publié son rapport sur l’affaire “Canada - Mesures visant l’importation de lait et l’exportation de produits laitiers - Recours”.

El 29 de septiembre de 2006, la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Comunidades Europeas - Medidas que afectan a la aprobación y comercialización de productos biotecnológicos”.

El 9 de noviembre de 2017, el Órgano de Apelación de la OMC emitió su informe en las diferencias “Indonesia — Importación de productos hortícolas, animales y productos del reino animal” (DS477 y DS478) planteadas por Nueva Zelandia y los Estados Unidos.

Le 11 décembre 2000, l’Organe d’appel a publié son rapport sur l’affaire “Corée - Mesures affectant les importations de viande de bœuf fraîche, réfrigérée et congelée”.

The US appealed on 21 February 1996. On 22 April, the Appellate Body issued its report, modifying the panel report on the interpretation of GATT Article XX(g), but concluding that Article XX(g) was not applicable in this case. The Appellate Report, together with the panel report as modified by the Appellate Report, was adopted by the DSB on 20 May 1996.

Le 20 juillet 2015, l’Organe d’appel de l’OMC a remis son rapport dans l’affaire “Pérou — Droit additionnel visant les importations de certains produits agricoles” (DS457) soumise par le Guatemala.

On 1 February 1999, the US requested consultations with Korea in respect of a Korean regulatory scheme that allegedly discriminates against imported beef by inter alia, confining sales of imported beef to specialized stores (dual retail system), limiting the manner of its display, and otherwise constraining the opportunities for the sale of imported beef. The US alleged that Korea imposes a mark-up on sales of imported beef, limits import authority to cert Read More

On 09 April 1999, the WTO issued the dispute panel reports in the case "European communities - Regime for the importation, sale and distribution of bananas".