Chapter 19. Compatibility Of Gmo Import Regulations With Wto Rules

Abstract

This chapter looks at the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)-compatibility of three regulatory measures relating to genetically modified organisms (GMOs): (1) special GMO import permit or licensing requirements; (2) mandatory labeling for GMO imports and products; and (3) social acceptability or public notification requirements for imports. These measures are treated because of their basic characteristic of imposing a more stringent level of regulation on GMO products as compared to their non-GMO counterparts. The Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) annexed to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement is particularly applicable to the consideration of what kinds or types of GMO import regulations would be compatible with the obligations of states within the WTO trade regime. Keywords: Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures; General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade; genetically modified organisms (GMOs); import regulations; mandatory labeling; World Trade Organization (WTO)