It is reported that the U.S. has blocked a request by Mexico for the World Trade Organization to take a stand on whether labeling restrictions unfairly close the U.S. market to Mexican tuna in a case that pits environment against trade. Mexico, which requested WTO consultations with the U.S. in October, requested that its tuna complies with international standards on reducing the accidental capture of dolphins. U.S. rules prevent Mexico from using the “dolphin-safe” label needed to sell tuna and tuna products in the U.S. even though Mexico says its tuna- fishing methods are “fully sustainable.”
It is also mentioned that Mexican products are accorded treatment less favorable than like products of national origin and like products originating in any other country,” Mexico said in its Oct. 24 complaint. It is told that the measures have the effect of creating unnecessary obstacles to trade. The U.S. banned the sale of tuna that wasn’t considered “dolphin-safe” in 1994, a move that effectively barred imports from Mexico.
Mexico’s 2007 tuna production totaled 86,000 tons, according to the country’s Agriculture Ministry. The U.S. bought 4.2 tons of tuna worth $14 million from Mexico last year, down almost 22 percent from 2007, according to the Commerce Department. Overall, U.S. imports of the fish that year were 266,770 tons worth just over $1 billion.
It is found that the Mexican fleets still catch yellowfin tuna in parts of the eastern Pacific Ocean by chasing and encircling dolphins in nets because the two often swim together. The methods they used breaches U.S. Commerce Department rules saying that for tuna to be labeled dolphin-safe, fishermen aren’t allowed to intentionally encircle or set nets on dolphins.
