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European Commission Raises Issues of Coexistence and GMO Approvals
The European Commission on 5 March released an internal communication on the co-existence of genetically modified, conventional and organic crops. The communication sets out policy options to address the economic consequences of the accidental presence of GM crops in non-modified crops. Civil society groups accused the Commission of “dodging its responsibility” and called for “hard”…
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Water-Trade Linkages in the Spotlight
A number of experts came together in Geneva, Switzerland, on 3 March to identify and assess the interlinkages between freshwater and international trade law, with discussions ranging from geopolitical, trade and legal issues associated with transboundary exports of fresh water, to services and agriculture. Participants agreed that water was a unique good, possibly even “sacred,”…
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FAO Committee Focuses on Responsible Fishing and Fisheries Subsidies
On 24-28 February, government officials and experts met in Rome for the 25th meeting of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) to review a report on the implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and Related International Plans of Action. Food security, illegal fishing, sustainable fisheries management and fisheries subsides were among the issues…
- In Brief
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US Bans Shrimp Imports over Concerns for Turtles
On Thursday the US State Department announced that it would bar some shrimp imports from Honduras and Venezuela, which are not meeting the US requirements. US law bans imports of shrimp harvested in such a way that it harms turtles, unless a country has a “sea turtle protection program” or has…
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FAO Stresses Need to Bridge ‘Molecular Divide’
The Assistant Director-General and Head of the Agriculture Department of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Louise Fresco, in a statement issued on 18 February warned of a “molecular divide”, noting that the promises and potential of biotechnology were not equally shared between developing and developed countries. She added that…
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Work on Global Conservation Trust Gets Underway
The interim Panel of Eminent Experts for the Establishment of the Global Conservation Trust met for the first time on 25-26 February to discuss the work plan of the Global Conservation Trust. Specifically, they considered legal options and rules of governance of the Trust and drafted ethical guidelines for the receipt,…
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Biodiversity Meeting Focuses on Sustainable Development after Jo’burg
On 2-4 March, 160 representatives from governments, international organisations, NGOs, academia and the private sector convened in London to discuss the linkages between biodiversity and the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG). Delegates met in four working groups to discuss and formulate recommendations on: poverty, hunger and biodiversity; health and biodiversity;…
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In Brief
In Brief US BANS SHRIMP IMPORTS OVER CONCERNS FOR TURTLES On Thursday the US State Department announced that it would bar some shrimp imports from Honduras and Venezuela, which are not meeting the US requirements. US law bans imports of shrimp harvested in such a way that it harms turtles, unless a country has a "sea…
- Events
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Events
For a more comprehensive list of events in trade and sustainable development, please refer to ICTSD’s web calendar. Please bear in mind that dates and times of WTO meetings are often changed, and that the WTO does not always announce the important informal meetings of the different bodies. Coming up in the next two weeks 10 -…
- Resources
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Resources
INDIA’S PLANT VARIETY AND FARMERS’ RIGHTS LEGISLATION: POTENTIAL IMPACT ON STAKEHOLDER ACCESS TO GENETIC RESOURCES. By Anitha Ramanna, January 2003. This piece looks at how developing countries may attempt to fulfil demands to extend intellectual property protection for agriculture in their countries and also protect breeders and farmers’ rights. It examines whether or not the…