Title: Biosafety and international trade: conflict or convergence?

Authors: Thomas A. Cors

Addresses: Dynamics Technology, Inc., 1555 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 320, Arlington, Virginia 22209, USA

Abstract: One of the most important technological developments in the 1990s has been the emergence of biotechnology. Both the draft Protocol on Biosafety under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) could cover trade in biotechnology products. However, each agreement treats the nascent ||precautionary principle|| differently. Trade disputes in living modified organisms will use either agreement, depending on each country|s status in each agreement. Trade and environment agreements aspire to be mutually supportive, but to do so here requires substantial harmonisation between the two agreements.

Keywords: Biosafety Protocol; Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures; Convention on Biological Diversity; World Trade Organisation; agriculture; biotechnology; international trade law; precautionary principle; beef hormone.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBT.2000.000124

International Journal of Biotechnology, 2000 Vol.2 No.1/2/3, pp.27-43

Published online: 13 Jul 2003 *

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