Agriculture food and safety
Comunidades Europeas - Medidas que afectan a la importación de determinados productos avícolas
El 12 de marzo de 1998 la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Comunidades Europeas - Medidas que afectan a la importación determinados productos avícolas”.
European Communities - Measures Concerning Meat and Meat Products (Hormones) - Original Complaint by Canada
On 12 July 1999 the WTO issued the dispute panel reports in the case "European Communities - Measures concerning meat and meat products (hormones) - Original complaint by Canada".
European Communities - Measures Affecting the Approval and Marketing of Biotech Products
On 13 May 2003 the United States requested consultations with the EC concerning certain measures taken by the EC and its member States affecting imports of agricultural and food imports from the United States. Regarding EC-level measures the United States asserted that the moratorium applied by the EC since October 1998 on the approval of biotech products has restricted imports of agricultural and food products from the United States. Regarding member State-level measures the United States asserted that a number of EC member States maintain national marketing and import bans on biotech products even though those products have already been approved by the EC for import and marketing in the EC.
Communautés européennes - Subventions à l’exportation de sucre
Le 28 avril 2005 l’Organe d’appel a publié son rapport sur l’affaire “Communautés européennes - Subventions à l’exportation de sucre”.
Comunidades Europeas - Subvenciones a la exportación de azúcar
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”.
India - Medidas relativas a la importación de determinados productos agropecuarios
El 14 de octubre de 2014 la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “India - Medidas relativas a la importación determinados productos agropecuarios”.
Pérou - Droit additionnel visant les importations de certains produits agricoles
Le 27 novembre 2014 l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial chargé d’examiner l’affaire soumise par le Guatemala “Pérou — Droit additionnel visant les importations de certains produits agricoles” (DS457).
European Communities - Measures Prohibiting the Importation and Marketing of Seal Products
On 2 November 2009 Canada requested consultations with the European Communities concerning Regulation (EC) No. 1007/2009 of the European Parliament and of the EC Council of 16 September 2009 on trade in seal products and subsequent related measures. According to Canada the regulation in question prohibits the importation and the placing on the EC market of all seal products.
Japan - Measures Affecting the Importation of Apples
On 1 March 2002 the United States requested consultations with Japan regarding restrictions allegedly imposed by Japan on imports of apples from the United States. The United States’ complaint arose from the maintenance by Japan of quarantine restrictions on apples imported into Japan which restrictions were said to be necessary to protect against introduction of fire blight. Among the measures the United States complained of were the prohibition of imported apples from orchards in which any fire blight was detected the requirement that export orchards be inspected three times yearly for the presence of fire blight and the disqualification of any orchard from exporting to Japan should fire blight be detected within a 500 meter buffer zone surrounding such orchard. The United States claimed that these measures might be inconsistent with the obligations of Japan under:
Corea - Medidas que afectan a las importaciones de carne vacuna fresca, refrigerada y congelada
El 31 de julio de 2000 la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Corea - Medidas que afectan a las importaciones de carne vacuna fresca refrigerada y congelada”.
États-Unis - Certaines prescriptions en matière d’étiquetage indiquant le pays d’origine (EPO )- Recours 1
Le 18 mai 2015 l’Organe d’appel de l’OMC a publié son “rapport sur la mise en conformité” dans l’affaire États-Unis — Certaines prescriptions en matière d’étiquetage indiquant le pays d’origine (EPO) (WT/DS384/386). Dans ce différend les plaignants étaient le Canada et le Mexique.
Communautés européennes - Subventions à l’exportation de sucre
Le 28 avril 2005 l’Organe d’appel a publié son rapport sur l’affaire “Communautés européennes - Subventions à l’exportation de sucre”.
Turkey - Measures Affecting the Importation of Rice
On 2 November 2005 the United States requested consultations with Turkey concerning the latter’s import restrictions on rice from the United States. According to the request Turkey requires an import license to import rice but fails to grant such licenses to import rice at Turkey’s bound rate of duty. According to the request Turkey also operates a tariff-rate quota for rice imports requiring that in order to import specified quantities of rice at reduced tariff levels importers must purchase specified quantities of domestic rice including from the Turkish Grain Board (TMO) Turkish producers or producer associations (“the domestic purchase requirement”). The request lists more than ten measures through which Turkey has allegedly maintained the foregoing restrictions on rice imports including Decree No. 96/7794 related to the General Assessment of the Regime Regarding Technical Regulations and Standardization for Foreign Trade (Official Gazette No. 22541 1 February 1996 Repeated).
États-Unis - Subventions concernant le coton upland
Le 03 mars 2005 l’Organe d’appel a publié son rapport sur l’affaire “États-Unis - Subventions concernant le coton upland”.
United States - Certain Country of Origin Labelling (Cool) Requirements
On 07 December 2015 the WTO issued the dispute panel reports in the case "United States - Certain country of origin labelling (cool) requirements".
Japan - Measures Affecting Agricultural Products
On 7 April 1997 the US requested consultations with Japan in respect of the latter’s prohibition under quarantine measures of imports of certain agricultural products. The US alleged that Japan prohibits the importation of each variety of a product requiring quarantine treatment until the quarantine treatment has been tested for that variety even if the treatment has proved to be effective for other varieties of the same product. The US alleged violations of Articles 2 5 and 8 of the SPS Agreement Article XI of GATT 1994 and Article 4 of the Agreement on Agriculture. In addition the US made a claim for nullification and impairment of benefits.
Communautés Européennes - Régime applicable à l’importation, à la vente et à la distribution des bananes
L’OMC a publié le 09 avril 1999 le rapport d’arbitrage concernant l’affaire “Communautés Européennes - Régime applicable à l’importation à la vente et à la distribution des bananes”.
European Communities - Measures Concerning Meat and Meat Products (Hormones) - Original Complaint by the United States
On 12 July 1999 the WTO issued the dispute panel reports in the case "European Communities - Measures concerning meat and meat products (hormones) - Original complaint by the United States".
Comunidades Europeas - Subvenciones a la exportación de azúcar
El 15 de octubre de 2004 la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Comunidades Europeas - Subvenciones a la exportación de azúcar”.
Estados Unidos - Determinadas prescripciones en materia de etiquetado indicativo del país de origen (EPO)
El 7 de diciembre de 2015 un árbitro de la OMC dio a conocer las decisiones sobre el nivel de retorsión que México y el Canadá podían solicitar en su diferencia con los Estados Unidos sobre determinadas prescripciones en materia de etiquetado indicativo del país de origen (EPO) (DS384 y DS386).
Estados Unidos - Medidas que afectan a las importaciones de camisas y blusas de tejidos de lana procedentes de la India
El 06 de enero de 1997 la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Estados Unidos - Medidas que afectan a las importaciones de camisas y blusas de tejidos de lana procedentes de la India”.
Japon - Mesures visant l’importation de pommes
Le 26 novembre 2003 l’Organe d’appel a publié son rapport sur l’affaire “Japon - Mesures visant l’importation de pommes”.
États-Unis - Traitement fiscal des “sociétés de ventes à l’étranger”
Le 24 février 2000 l’Organe d’appel a publié son rapport sur l’affaire “États-Unis - Traitement fiscal des “sociétés de ventes à l’étranger””.
Brasil - Medidas que afectan al coco desecado
El 21 de febrero de 1997 el Órgano de Apelación hizo público el informe sobre el caso “Brasil - Medidas que afectan al coco desecado”.
European Communities - Export Subsidies on Sugar - Complaint by Brazil
On 27 September 2002 Australia and Brazil requested consultations with the European Communities concerning the export subsidies provided by the EC in the framework of its Common Organisation of the Market for the sugar sector. The requests concerned Council Regulation (EC) No. 1260/2001 of 19 June 2001 on the EC’s common organization of the markets in the sugar sector and all other legislation regulations administrative policies and other instruments relating to the EC regime for sugar and sugar containing products including the rules adopted pursuant to the procedure referred to in Article 42(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1260/2001 and any other provision related thereto. On 14 March 2003 Thailand requested consultations with the European Communities on the same matter.
Australia - Measures Affecting Importation of Salmon - Recourse 1
On 5 October 1995 Canada requested consultations with Australia in respect of Australia’s prohibition of imports of salmon from Canada based on a quarantine regulation. Canada alleged that the prohibition is inconsistent with Articles XI and XIII of the GATT 1994 and also inconsistent with the SPS Agreement.
United States - Measures Affecting the Production and Sale of Clove Oigarettes
On 7 April 2010 Indonesia requested consultations with the United States with respect to a provision of the Family Smoking Prevention Tobacco Control Act of 2009 that bans clove cigarettes. Indonesia alleged that Section 907 which was signed into law on 22 June 2009 prohibits among other things the production or sale in the United States of cigarettes containing certain additives including clove but would continue to permit the production and sale of other cigarettes including cigarettes containing menthol. Indonesia alleged that Section 907 is inconsistent inter alia with Article III:4 of the GATT 1994 Article 2 of the TBT Agreement and various provisions of the SPS Agreement.
États-Unis - Certaines prescriptions en matière d’étiquetage indiquant le pays d’origine (EPO)
L’Organe d’appel de l’OMC a remis le 29 juin 2012 ses rapports dans les affaires “États-Unis — Certaines prescriptions en matière d’étiquetage indiquant le pays d’origine (EPO)” (DS384 et DS386).
Mexico - Definitive Countervailing Measures on Olive Oil from the European Communities
On 31 March 2006 the European Communities requested consultations with Mexico concerning the imposition by Mexico of definitive countervailing measures on imports of olive oil from the European Communities.
Australia - Medidas que afectan a la importación de manzanas procedentes de Nueva Zelandia
El 09 de agosto de 2010 la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Australia - Medidas que afectan a la importación de manzanas procedentes de Nueva Zelandia”.
Japan - Measures Affecting Agricultural Products
On 7 April 1997 the US requested consultations with Japan in respect of the latter’s prohibition under quarantine measures of imports of certain agricultural products. The US alleged that Japan prohibits the importation of each variety of a product requiring quarantine treatment until the quarantine treatment has been tested for that variety even if the treatment has proved to be effective for other varieties of the same product. The US alleged violations of Articles 2 5 and 8 of the SPS Agreement Article XI of GATT 1994 and Article 4 of the Agreement on Agriculture. In addition the US made a claim for nullification and impairment of benefits.
Japon - Mesures visant l’importation de pommes
Le 15 juillet 2003 l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial dans l’affaire “Japon - Mesures visant l’importation de pommes”.
China - Ayuda interna para los productores agropecuarios
El 28 de febrero de 2019 la OMC distribuyó el informe del Grupo Especial encargado de examinar el asunto “China — Ayuda interna para los productores agropecuarios” (DS511) planteado por los Estados Unidos.
United States - Certain Country of Origin Labelling (Cool) Requirements - Recourse 1
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 eligibility for a designation of a covered commodity as exclusively having a US origin can only be derived from an animal that was exclusively born raised and slaughtered in the United States. This would exclude such a designation in respect of beef or pork derived from livestock that is exported to the United States for feed or immediate slaughter.
Comunidades Europeas - Medidas que afectan a la carne y los productos cárnicos (Hormonas)
El 18 de agosto de 1997 la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Communidades Europeas - Medidas queafectan a la carne y los productos cárnicos (hormonas)”.
Indonesia - Importación de productos hortícolas, animales y productos del reino animal
El 22 de diciembre 2016 de la OMC hizo públicos los informes del Grupo Especial establecido a petición de los Estados Unidos y Nueva Zelandia con respecto al asunto “Indonesia — Importación de productos hortícolas animales y productos del reino animal” (DS477 y DS478).
European Communities - Measures Concerning Meat and Meat Products (Hormones)
On 28 June 1996 Canada requested consultations with the European Communities regarding the importation of livestock and meat from livestock that have been treated with certain substances having a hormonal action under Article XXII of the GATT 1994 and the corresponding provisions in the SPS Agreement TBT Agreement and the Agreement on Agriculture. Canada alleges violation of Articles 2 3 and 5 of the SPS Agreement; Article III or XI of the GATT 1994; Article 2 of the TBT Agreement; and Article 4 of the Agreement on Agriculture.
European Communities - Regime for the Importation, Sale and Distribution of Bananas
Complaints by Ecuador Guatemala Honduras Mexico and the United States. The complainants in this case other than Ecuador had requested consultations with the European Communities on the same issue on 28 September 1995 (DS16). After Ecuador’s accession to the WTO the current complainants again requested consultations with the European Communities on 5 February 1996. The complainants alleged that the European Communities’ regime for importation sale and distribution of bananas is inconsistent with Articles I II III X XI and XIII of the GATT 1994 as well as provisions of the Import Licensing Agreement the Agreement on Agriculture the TRIMs Agreement and the GATS.
États-Unis - Subventions concernant le coton upland
Le 08 septembre 2004 l’Organe d’appel a publié son rapport sur l’affaire “États-Unis - Subventions concernant le coton upland”.
Turquie - Mesures affectant l’importation de riz
Le 21 septembre 2007 l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial chargé d’examiner l’affaire Turquie — Mesures affectant l’importation de riz (DS334).
Estados Unidos - Medidas de salvaguardia definitivas impuestas a las importaciones de gluten de trigo procedentes de las Comunidades Europeas
El 31 de julio de 2000 la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Estados Unidos - Medidas de salvaguardia definitivas impuestas a las importaciones de gluten de trigo procedentes de las Comunidades Europeas”.
India - Quantitative Restrictions on Imports of Agricultural, Textile and Industrial Products
On 15 July 1997 the US requested consultations with India in respect of quantitative restrictions maintained by India on importation of a large number of agricultural textile and industrial products. The US contended that these quantitative restrictions including the more than 2700 agricultural and industrial product tariff lines notified to the WTO are inconsistent with India’s obligations under Articles XI:1 and XVIII:11 of GATT 1994 Article 4.2 of the Agreement on Agriculture and Article 3 of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures.
Brazil - Measures Affecting Desiccated Coconut
On 27 November 1995 the Philippines requested consultations with Brazil in respect of a countervailing duty imposed by Brazil on the Philippine’s exports of desiccated coconut. The Philippines claimed that this duty was inconsistent with WTO and GATT rules.
États-Unis - Certaines prescriptions en matière d’étiquetage indiquant le pays d’origine (EPO)
Le 7 décembre 2015 un arbitre de l’OMC a rendu ses décisions sur le niveau de rétorsion que le Mexique et le Canada peuvent demander dans le différend qui les oppose aux États-Unis au sujet de certaines prescriptions en matière d’“étiquetage indiquant le pays d’origine” (EPO) (DS384 et DS386).
Canada - Mesures régissant la vente de vin
Le 25 mai 2021 l’OMC a distribué le rapport du Groupe spécial chargé d’examiner l’affaire “Canada — Mesures régissant la vente de vin” (DS537) introduite par l’Australie.
Korea - Measures Affecting Trade in Commercial Vessels
On 21 October 2002 the European Communities requested consultations with Korea on certain measures establishing subsidies to its shipbuilding industry which according to the European Communities are inconsistent with Korea’s obligations under the SCM Agreement. These measures are as follows: - Corporate restructuring subsidies in the form of debt forgiveness debt and interest relief and debt-to-equity swaps provided through government-owned and government-controlled banks; - Special taxation on in-kind contribution and the special taxation on spin-off scheme provided in the Special Tax Treatment Control Law which establishes two tax programmes limited to companies under corporate restructuring and provided tax concessions to Daewoo; - Pre-shipment loans and advance payment refund guarantees provided by the state-owned Export-Import Bank of Korea (“KEXIM”) to all Korean shipyards
Brésil - Mesures visant la noix de coco desséchée
Le 17 octobre 1996 l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial dans l’affaire “Bresil - Mesures visant la noix de coco dessechee”.
China - Domestic Support for Agricultural Producers
On 28 February 2019 the WTO circulated the panel report in the case brought by the United States in “China — Domestic Support for Agricultural Producers” (DS511)
Indonésie - Mesures concernant l’importation de viande de poulet et de produits à base de poulet
Le 10 novembre 2020 l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial de la mise en conformité dans l’affaire “Indonésie — Mesures concernant l’importation de viande de poulet et de produits à base de poulet” introduite par le Brésil (DS484).
Comunidades Europeas - Medidas que afectan a la importación de determinados productos avícolas
El 13 de julio de 1998 el Órgano de Apelación hizo público el informe sobre el caso “Comunidades Europeas - Medidas que afectan a la importación determinados productos avícolas”.
Brésil - Mesures visant la noix de coco desséchée
Le 21 février 1997 l’Organe d’appel a publié son rapport sur l’affaire “Bresil - Mesures visant la noix de coco dessechee”.
United States - Definitive Safeguard Measures on Imports of Wheat Gluten from the European Communities
On 17 March 1999 the EC requested consultations with the US in respect of definitive safeguard measures imposed by the US on imports of wheat gluten from the European Communities. The EC contended that by a Proclamation of 30 May 1998 and a Memorandum of the same date by the US President under which the US imposed definitive safeguard measures in the form of a quantitative limitation on imports of wheat gluten from the EC effective as of 1 June 1998. The EC considered these measures to be in violation of Articles 2 4 5 and 12 of the Agreement on Safeguards; Article 4.2 of the Agreement on Agriculture; and Articles I and XIX of GATT 1994.
Inde - Restrictions quantitatives à l’importation de produits agricoles, textiles et industriels
Le 06 avril 1999 l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial dans l’affaire “Inde - Restrictions quantitatives à l’importation de produits agricoles textiles et industriels”.
Indonesia - Importation of Horticultural Products, Animals and Animal Products
On 8 May 2014 New Zealand requested consultations with Indonesia concerning certain measures it imposes on the importation of horticultural products animals and animal products. New Zealand claims that the measures are inconsistent with: - Articles III:4 X:1 and XI:1 of the GATT 1994; - Article 4.2 of the Agreement on Agriculture; - Articles 1.2 1.5 1.6 2.2 3.2 3.3 5.1 and 5.2 of the Import Licensing Agreement; and - Articles 2.1 and 2.15 of the Agreement on Preshipment Inspection.
Australia - Measures Affecting Importation of Salmon
On 5 October 1995 Canada requested consultations with Australia in respect of Australia’s prohibition of imports of salmon from Canada based on a quarantine regulation. Canada alleged that the prohibition is inconsistent with Articles XI and XIII of the GATT 1994 and also inconsistent with the SPS Agreement.
Communautés européennes - Mesures affectant l’amiante et les produits en contenant
Le 12 mars 2001 l’Organe d’appel a publié son rapport sur l’affaire “Communautés européennes - Mesures affectant l’amiante et les produits en contenant”.
Japon - Mesures visant les produits agricoles
Le 27 octobre 1998 l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial dans l’affaire “Japon - Mesures visant les produits agricoles”.
United States - Tax Treatment for "Foreign Sales Corporations"
On 18 November 1997 the European Communities requested consultations with the United States in respect of Sections 921-927 of the US Internal Revenue Code and related measures establishing special tax treatment for “Foreign Sales Corporations” (FSC). The European Communities contended that these provisions were inconsistent with the United States' obligations under Articles III:4 and XVI of the GATT 1994 Articles 3.1(a) and (b) of the SCM Agreement and Articles 3 and 8 of the Agreement on Agriculture.
United States - Tax Treatment for "Foreign Sales Corporations" - Recourse 1
On 18 November 1997 the European Communities requested consultations with the United States in respect of Sections 921-927 of the US Internal Revenue Code and related measures establishing special tax treatment for “Foreign Sales Corporations” (FSC). The European Communities contended that these provisions were inconsistent with the United States' obligations under Articles III:4 and XVI of the GATT 1994 Articles 3.1(a) and (b) of the SCM Agreement and Articles 3 and 8 of the Agreement on Agriculture.
Comunidades Europeas - Medidas que afectan a la carne y los productos cárnicos (hormonas)
El 18 de agosto de 1997 la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Communidades Europeas - Medidas que afectan a la carne y los productos cárnicos (hormonas)”.
Japon - Mesures visant les produits agricoles
Le 22 février 1999 l’Organe d’appel a publié son rapport sur l’affaire “Japon - Mesures visant les produits agricoles”.
Estados Unidos - Subvenciones al algodón americano (upland)
La OMC ha emitido hoy (31 de agosto de 2009) dos informes relativos a los procedimientos de arbitraje con respecto a la diferencia entre los Estados Unidos y el Brasil sobre el algodón (DS267).
Australie - Mesures visant les importations de saumons
Le 20 octobre 1998 l’Organe d’appel a publié son rapport sur l’affaire “Australie - Mesures visant les importations de saumons”.
États-Unis - Normes concernant l’essence nouvelle et ancienne formules
Le 29 janvier 1996 l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial dans l’affaire “États-Unis - Normes concernant l’essence nouvelle et ancienne formules”.
Estados Unidos - Determinadas prescripciones en materia de etiquetado indicativo del país de origen (EPO)
El 18 de noviembre de 2011 la OMC publicó el informe del Grupo Especial que había examinado las reclamaciones del Canadá y México respectivamente con respecto al asunto “Estados Unidos — Determinadas prescripciones en materia de etiquetado indicativo del país de origen (EPO)” (DS384 y DS386).
United States - Tax Treatment for "Foreign Sales Corporations"
On 30 August 2002 the WTO issued the dispute panel reports in the case "United States - Tax treatment for "foreign sales corporations"".
Australia - Medidas que afectan a la importación de manzanas procedentes de Nueva Zelandia
El 29 de noviembre de 2010 el Órgano de Apelación hizo público el informe sobre el caso “Australia - Medidas que afectan a la importación de manzanas procedentes de Nueva Zelandia”.
Canadá - Medidas que afectan a la importación de leche y a las exportaciones de productos lácteos
El 13 de octubre de 1999 el Órgano de Apelación hizo público el informe sobre el caso “Canadá - Medidas que afectan a la importación de leche y a las exportaciones de productos lácteos”.
Australie - Mesures visant les importations de saumons
Le 12 juin 1998 l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial dans l’affaire “Australie - Mesures visant les importations de saumons”.
Japón - Contingentes de importación de algas secas y algas sazonadas
El 01 de febrero de 2006 la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Japón - Contingentes de importación de algas secas y algas sazonadas”.
Communautés européennes - Mesures prohibant l’importation et la commercialisation de produits dérivés du phoque
Le 22 mai 2014 l’Organe d’appel de l’OMC a remis ses rapports dans l’affaire “Communautés européennes — Mesures prohibant l’importation et la commercialisation de produits dérivés du phoque (DS400 / DS401)”.
Federación de Rusia - Medidas relativas a la importación de porcinos vivos, carne de porcino y otros productos de porcino procedentes de la Unión Europea
El 19 de agosto de 2016 la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Federación de Rusia - Medidas relativas a la importación de porcinos vivos carne de porcino y otros productos de porcino procedentes de la Unión Europea”.
European Communities - Export Subsidies on Sugar - Complaint by Australia
On 27 September 2002 Australia and Brazil requested consultations with the European Communities concerning the export subsidies provided by the EC in the framework of its Common Organisation of the Market for the sugar sector. The requests concerned Council Regulation (EC) No. 1260/2001 of 19 June 2001 on the EC’s common organization of the markets in the sugar sector and all other legislation regulations administrative policies and other instruments relating to the EC regime for sugar and sugar containing products including the rules adopted pursuant to the procedure referred to in Article 42(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1260/2001 and any other provision related thereto. On 14 March 2003 Thailand requested consultations with the European Communities on the same matter.
India - Restricciones cuantitativas a las importaciones de productos agrícolas, textiles e industriales
El 06 de abril de 1999 la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “India - Restricciones cuantitativas a las importaciones de productos agrícolas textiles e industriales”.
Australie - Mesures visant les importations de saumons - Recours 1
Le 18 février 2000 l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial dans l’affaire “Australie - Mesures visant les importations de saumons - Recours du Canada à l’article 21:5”.
European Communities - Measures Affecting Asbestos and Asbestos – Containing Products
On 28 May 1998 Canada requested consultations with the EC in respect of measures imposed by France in particular Decree of 24 December 1996 with respect to the prohibition of asbestos and products containing asbestos including a ban on imports of such goods. Canada alleged that these measures violate Articles 2 3 and 5 of the SPS Agreement Article 2 of the TBT Agreement and Articles III XI and XIII of GATT 1994. Canada also alleged nullification and impairment of benefits accruing to it under the various agreements cited.
Illicit Trade and Infectious Diseases
We collect a novel dataset that covers about 130 countries and the six four-digit live animal categories in the Harmonized System (HS) over a sixteen-year period to study the link between illicit trade in live animals and threat to animal health from infectious diseases.
Future Resilience to Diseases of Animal Origin
The WTO Secretariat has published a new information note about trade issues associated with the spread of diseases of animal origin. The note maps out the international framework in place to address these issues along with ongoing efforts to ensure safe trade in animals and animal products including in wildlife.
SPS Measures and Trade
In an attempt to disentangle the impact of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures on trade patterns we estimate a Heckman selection model on the HS4 disaggregated level of trade. Using SPS measures obtained from the SPS Information Management System of the WTO and controlling for zero trade flows we find that SPS concerns reduce the probability of trade in agricultural and food products consistently. However the amount of trade is positively affected by SPS measures conditional on market entry. This suggests that SPS measures constitute an effective market entry barrier. Additionally we split SPS measures into requirements related to (i) conformity assessment and (ii) product characteristics. Both types of measures are implemented by policy makers to achieve a desired level of health safety yet entail diverse trade costs. We find that conformity assessment measures hamper not only the likelihood to trade but also the amount of trade while measures related to product characteristics do not affect the market entry decision but have a strong positive impact on the trade volume. This suggests that trade outcomes crucially depend on the measure policy makers decide to implement.
Standards, Regulations and COVID-19
Mainly affecting trade in medical products and food such standards and regulatory measures typically account for two-thirds of the notifications members submit to the WTO in line with obligations under the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS). These agreements set out disciplines for standards and regulatory measures used to protect human animal and plant life and health the environment and product safety. The paper notes that most of the COVID-related notifications were submitted under the emergency/urgent notification provisions in the two agreements in response to the pressing health problems posed by the pandemic. The notifications mainly concern trade in personal protective equipment food live animals medical equipment and medicines. The notified measures fall under four main categories: streamlining certification procedures; ensuring safe medical goods; making food available by relaxing technical regulations; and addressing COVID-19 risks from international trade in live animals.
Agricultural Trade and Development
The system of global agricultural and food trade is undergoing rapid processes of change with important implications for economic development. In this paper we document and discuss these changes; including the rapid growth and structural change in agri-food trade the increased consolidation in food supply chains the proliferation of public and private food standards high and volatile food prices and increased vertical coordination in the chains. We investigate what the implications are of these changes for developing countries for their participation in international agricultural trade as well as for economic development income mobility and poverty reduction in rural areas.
COVID-19 and Agriculture
The WTO Secretariat has published a new information note examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on world agricultural trade. The paper notes that agricultural trade has fared better than other sectors and that initial measures focused on guaranteeing the immediate availability of food have been followed by a second phase of policies seeking to mend broken supply chains and help producers to cope with the “new normal” situation.
The WTO's TPR Coverage of SPS Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa
The main purpose of the paper is to present the coverage of SPS systems in SSA countries by TPR reports and their main findings. It also opens the discussion as to whether the SPS analytical framework in TPR reports has been sufficiently comprehensive and beneficial in guiding technical assistance (TPR follow-up) activities in SSA. At the outset we briefly present the strategic importance of agriculture in SSA countries with a description of the link between an effective SPS regulatory system and the performance of agriculture.
“Agricultural Products” and “Fishery Products” in the GATT and WTO
The WTO Agreement on Agriculture applies to those “agricultural products” as defined in its Annex 1. This definition expressly excludes “fish and fish products” from the scope of application of the Agreement. In light of this exclusion the paper is intended to provide a historical account of the relationship between agricultural products and fishery products in the context of the negotiations leading to and during the GATT period up to the conclusion of the Uruguay Round and some of its implications for WTO negotiations.
Non-Reciprocal Preference Erosion Arising from MFN Liberalitzation in Agriculture
This paper estimates the risk of preference erosion for non-reciprocal preference recipients in the agricultural sector as a consequence of MFN tariff cuts. It is based on a simulation of a single tariff-cutting scenario. The measure of preference erosion risk is the difference in preference margins enjoyed by individual suppliers to the QUAD (Canada EU Japan United States) markets before and after a MFN tariff reduction multiplied by the associated trade flow. The paper does not attempt to determine how losses in preference margins translate into trade outcomes but it does highlight which products and which non-reciprocal preference beneficiaries are the most vulnerable to erosion effects in the major developed country markets. Overall the paper finds that the risk of preference erosion is small but some countries are strongly affected in particular product lines (notably sugar and bananas).
Risk Assessment in the International Food Safety Policy Arena
Two institutions provide multilateral venues for countries to discuss food safety measures at the international level: the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) and the World Trade Organization. Both institutions encourage their members to base food safety standards on scientific evidence. In this paper we provide a description of how food safety related scientific evidence is generated and how it is used in the context of risk assessment for international standard-setting at CODEX and in WTO trade disputes. In particular we discuss the processes leading to policy conclusions on the basis of scientific evidence with a focus on the interactions involved between private and public sector actors and those between “scientific experts” and others. We identify weaknesses in the current institutional set-up and provide suggestions on how to improve the interaction between different players at the national and international level so as to strengthen the existing system and increase its cost efficiency.