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Climate Change Negotiations: Technology, IP Issues on the Table
Climate change negotiators have started grappling with key issues in order to arrive at a new global climate agreement at the end of 2009. Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, more than a thousand negotiators and other participants gathered to agree on the concrete work programme for the next two years. During five intensive days of meetings, beginning…
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Members Remain Divided on Fisheries Draft Text
WTO Members remain divided on how to structure future multilateral rules on fisheries subsidy spending, notably on the conditions under which developing countries should be allowed to provide significant amounts of support to their fisheries sectors. During the 26-27 March session of the Negotiating Group on Rules, Members resumed discussions on a draft fisheries subsidies agreement…
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GMO Roundup: Benin, Kenya Limit Exposure to GM Crops, Mexico Moves to Test Maize Varieties, Brazilian Biofuel Producers Look to GM; French GM Maize Ban Upheld
Benin, Kenya limit exposure to GM crops The government of Benin recently announced that it will renew a moratorium on the import, marketing and use of GM varieties for another five years. The moratorium was first introduced in 2002 in response to the possibility of GM products entering the market from African states belonging to…
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WTO Panel Rules Against EU Import Ban in Beef Hormone Case; Both Sides Claim Victory
Both sides are claiming victory following the latest WTO ruling in one of the longest running disputes in the institution’s history, which has pitted the US and Canada against the EU over trade in hormone-treated beef. The ruling, released on 31 March, faulted all three parties to the case for not adhering to WTO rules and…
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Business And Biodiversity Protectors Converge
In a new report, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Shell International find that protection of biodiversity and promotion of business can be complementary. The report, entitled ‘Building Biodiversity Business’, proposes a market-based solution to biodiversity loss and suggests that business will ensure environmental protection only if it can be made…
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European Commission Considers Trade Sanctions Against Canadian Seal Imports
Just ahead of Canada’s annual seal cull, Europe is considering imposing trade sanctions on seal products. In response to calls for action by the European Parliament, the Commission continues to look into the matter of “the inhumane killing of seals,” said a spokesperson for Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas. A report will be presented within the…
- 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, http://www.trade-environment.org/page/calendar.htm. Coming up in the next two weeks 7 April, Reading, U.K.:ECO-INNOVATION WORKSHOP. The European Commission has recently highlighted bio-based products alongside other three other green areas - sustainable construction, recycling…
- 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 Bridges staff to Malena Sell at msell@ictsd.ch. THE LEGALITY OF PPMs UNDER THE GATT: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUSTAINABLE TRADE POLICY. By Jason Potts, IISD, 2008. Since the Tuna-Dolphin…