WTO Sides With Mexico In Case Against US Dolphin-Safe Tuna Labeling -Official
By Tom Barkley
Published July 19, 2011 | Dow Jones Newswires
WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- The World Trade Organization has sided with Mexico in its claims that "dolphin safe" labeling requirements for tuna sold in the U.S. are unfair, a Mexican official familiar with the process said Tuesday.
The ruling, which can be appealed, is the latest development in a dispute stretching back to a U.S. ban on Mexican tuna imports two decades ago. While the embargo was lifted in 1997, Mexico complained that U.S. requirements that fishing methods avoid hurting dolphins were creating an effective ban. It filed a case with the WTO in 2009.
Nkenge Harmon, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Trade Representative's office, confirmed that the WTO dispute panel had ruled on the case, but that the report remained confidential.
"The United States will continue to vigorously pursue the objectives of the dolphin-safe labeling provisions," said Harmon, adding that the labeling restrictions protect dolphins and provide transparency to consumers.
The U.S. argues that many Mexican fishing vessels use a technique of catching tuna by intentionally encircling dolphins with nets and thus don't meet the "dolphin safe" standards.
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