WTO PANEL DELAYS PROCEEDINGS IN BIOTECH DISPUTE
The WTO panel examining the US-Argentina-Canada complaint against the EC’s de facto moratorium on the approval of new genetically modified organisms (see BRIDGES Trade BioRes, 28 May 2004) has delayed the next step in the proceedings by about a month, pushing the second panel session to the middle of September. The delay could be even longer (mid-October or early November) if the panel grants the EC’s request to set up an expert panel to examine technical issues related to the case. Parties now have until 19 July to submit rebuttals in the case and until 22 July to comment on the need for an expert group. The US has already told the panel that it does not consider the establishment of an expert group necessary. The timing of the interim and the final rulings remain unclear in view of the revised schedule. The delay in the GM case follows the announcement last week that the panel examining the EC-sugar case will need more time to provide a ruling (see BRIDGES Weekly, 30 June 2004).
ICTSD reporting.
WTO MEMBERS URGE BENIN, BURKINA FASO, MALI TO CONTINUE TRADE REFORM EFFORTS
On 30 June, WTO Members completed peer review assessments — so called Trade Policy Reviews (TPR) — of trade and related policies in Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali. The TPRs underlined that the three West African Cotton producing countries’ commitment to structural reforms within the West Africa Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) framework has helped enhance their economic growth. Members urged the countries to continue their efforts in this direction. The WTO reports, which together with policy statements from the governments in question form the basis of the TPR, also highlighted challenges the countries face as least developed countries (LDCs). One report noted, for instance, that Benin’s reforms have not yet enabled it to reduce its dependence on cotton exports. While Mali enjoyed accelerated economic growth due to a boom in gold production, its competitiveness was affected by its landlocked situation. Furthermore, the political crisis in Côte d’Ivoire has affected trade in both Mali and Burkina Faso by raising transport costs due to the establishment of alternative routes to the Abidjan port.
Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali are the pioneers of the cotton initiative submitted to the WTO before the Cancun Ministerial in September 2003 (see BRIDGES Weekly, 4 June 2003).
ICTSD reporting; "Members encourage Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali to move ahead with reforms," WTO RELEASE, 30 June 2004.