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A WTO Safe Harbour for the Dolphins: The Second Compliance Proceedings in the US–Tuna II (Mexico) case

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 April 2020

Elisa Baroncini  and
Claire Brunel
Elisa Baroncini*
Affiliation:
Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Italy
Claire Brunel*
Affiliation:
American University, USA
*
*Email: elisa.baroncini@unibo.it
**Email: brunel@american.edu
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Abstract

Subsequent to the 2016 modifications concerning the strengthening of the administrative requirements on dolphin-safety outside the ETP fishery zone, the second WTO compliance proceedings have finally found the US Dolphin-Safe labelling scheme compatible with the multilateral trade system. We provide an overview of the long-running US–Mexico dispute and assess the final findings of the WTO adjudicators attempting to determine the effects of the multilateral litigation on the involved non-trade values and the real winners of the case. We find an improvement in dolphin protection, though more could be achieved through a qualification of the US measure under the principle of sustainable development also contemplated in the Preamble of the WTO Agreement, as well as an enhancement on consumer information, since declaration of dolphin-safety may now be better monitored and enforced through the new discipline for non-Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean tuna products. However, we also observe that with no change to the appearance of the label or an informational campaign, the improved credibility of the label may hardly be passed-through to the average consumer. Furthermore, despite an increase in the stringency of the regulation for their competitors, Mexican producers do not gain greater access to the US and instead have been diversifying towards other markets. We then highlight that the Appellate Body missed an opportunity to reinforce the transparency of the system by supporting the first-ever decision to grant partially open panel meetings.

Keywords

TBT AgreementLabelling SchemesConsumer InformationAnimal WelfareSustainable DevelopmentArticle XX, lett. g) of the GATT 1994Transparency
Type
Research Article
Information
World Trade Review , Volume 19 , Issue 2 , April 2020 , pp. 196 - 215
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

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