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WTO Fisheries Chair Pauses for Reflection on Easter Text
With less than three weeks remaining before a target date for the chairs of WTO negotiating committees to submit revised draft agreement texts for the Doha Round trade talks, a session of the Negotiating Group on Rules witnessed strong statements on the need for disciplines on government support to the fisheries sector, as well as…
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With Easter Looming, WTO Members Acknowledge “Huge Gaps” on Doha
As Easter approaches, trade negotiators’ thoughts turn to resurrection. Not of the ecclesiastical variety so much as in terms of reviving the long-struggling Doha Round of global trade negotiations. But resurrections are rare events, and recent attempts by WTO members to bridge divisions ahead of an Easter deadline have served primarily to underline how wide…
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Washington Announces Plans to Dramatically Slash Oil Imports
In the wake of soaring gasoline prices resulting from political turmoil in the Middle East, US President Barack Obama has announced an aggressive a new energy target that would reduce oil imports by one-third by 2025. In his speech this past Wednesday at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, Obama outlined his new “Blueprint for a Secure…
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Organic Farmers Take Monsanto to Court
In a case that some are calling a reversal of traditional roles, biotechnology giant Monsanto’s patents on genetically modified (GM) seeds are the target of a new law suit by organic farmers and seed dealers in US courts. However, Monsanto has dismissed the charges, calling the suit a “publicity stunt” aimed at creating confusion over…
- In Brief
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WTO Establishes Dispute Settlement Panel on EU Seal Ban
The WTO on 25 March formally established a dispute settlement panel to determine whether an EU regulation banning imports of seal products complies with WTO rules. Canada initiated dispute proceedings against the EU in November 2009 for imposing an import ban on seal products. Canada sought the creation of a WTO panel in February of this…
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Sustainability Criteria for Biofuels Up and Running
The Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels has launched a set of comprehensive sustainability criteria - the “RSB Certification System.” Biofuels producers that adhere to these criteria are able to show buyers and regulators that their product has been obtained without harming the environment or violating human rights. The criteria apply along the full value chain, allowing…
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Fisheries Liberalisation Closer as EU, Colombia, Peru Initial FTA
Negotiators from the EU, Colombia and Peru last Thursday initialled a comprehensive trade agreement, paving the way for the formal signing and ratification of the accord. Talks on the deal, which will ultimately liberalise all trade in industrial and fisheries products among the participating countries, were concluded nearly a month ago. A lengthy legal review of…
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US Senators Prepare to Vote on EPA Climate Authority
The US Senate is expected to begin voting this week on legislation that would hinder the country’s Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Lawmakers were slated to vote on the controversial amendments last week, but disagreements sidelined the votes. Because Republican victories in congressional voting last November effectively extinguished…
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EU Green Fuel Debate Back on Agenda: Hedegaard
European governments may resume discussions in the coming months on a proposal to promote greener energy by potentially black-listing fuels whose production is more polluting, says EU Climate Change Commissioner Connie Hedegaard. According to the EU climate chief, default emission values for fuel derived from oil sands and oil shale will be peer reviewed and included…
- Events
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Events
For a more comprehensive list of events for the trade and environment community visit the BioRes online calendar. Coming up in the next two weeks (4-18 April) 3-8 April, Bangkok, Thailand. UN FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE AWG-KP 16 AND AWG-LCA 14. The first of this year’s major UNFCCC meetings will feature the sixteenth session of…
- Resources
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Resources
If you have a relevant resource (books, papers, bulletins, etc.) you would like to see announced in this section, please forward a copy for review by the BioRes Team to biores@ictsd.ch. GLOBAL CORRUPTION REPORT: CLIMATE CHANGE. Published by Transparency International (March 2011). This report comprehensively explores how the risks posed by corruption will affect the global…