The Dolphin Free Tuna Dilemma - 1484 Words

Introduction In this paper I will focus on the dolphin-free TUNA dilemma (case from 1991 - GATT) where several countries (that imported into the US) called for a review of policies in place by the US protectionist trade policies on tuna-production and the free trade agreements under GATT. Furthermore, I will discuss what the results of the case was, what implication it has on the global economy and what role the GATT/WTO has had in this policy. I will briefly compare it to the policies that the EU have in place to prevent mad cow disease tainted meat from coming into the EU. This is a take on different policies, about the process to produce a product, why the countries would want to prevent the importation of it and subsequently what†¦show more content†¦This is important because schools (groups) of Tuna-fish swim underneath school of dolphins. The US looks to collaborate with trading partners to cooperate with this Act and help enforce it. Countries Oppose US Regulations On Process – Case #1 In 1990, Tuna from several countries, (which included Mexico, Venezuela, Panama, Ecuador, etc.) was banned from the US (in the form of imports). In other words, the US set an embargo for light-skin tuna sales from these countries. Mexico and Venezuela challenged the US action and took it to the GATT. The decision was in their favor and in 1991 and 1992 both the countries cases were resolved through an outside settlement. The decision was not binding until after the Uruguay Round and adopted by the countries then. Countries Oppose US Regulations On Labeling – Case #2 Later there was a second case that arose of third world countries (including Mexico) importing Tuna and Tuna-products from other countries that did not meet the MMPA agreement. This was also dismissed by the GATT, under the same assumptions that other countries could not dictate how other countries use their natural resources and prevented free flow of trade. This second case was led by Mexico, and a complaint about discriminatory labels on tuna-product packaging that led consumers to believe the