Panel Report in Belgian Family Allowances Supports Mexico's Discrimination Claims
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WORLD TRADE WT/DS381/R 15 September 2011 ORGANIZATION (11-4239) Original: English UNITED STATES – MEASURES CONCERNING THE IMPORTATION, MARKETING AND SALE OF TUNA AND TUNA PRODUCTS Report of the Panel WT/DS381/R Page i TABLE OF CONTENTS Page I. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 1 II. FACTUAL ASPECTS .............................................................................................................. 2 A. THE MEASURES AT ISSUE ............................................................................................................ 2 B. SCOPE OF APPLICATION OF THE DPCIA PROVISIONS .................................................................. 2 C. CONDITIONS FOR THE USE OF THE TERM "DOLPHIN-SAFE" OR ANALOGOUS TERMS ................... 5 D. THE CERTIFICATION REQUIRED FOR TUNA CAUGHT IN THE ETP ................................................ 9 E. THE CERTIFICATION REQUIRED FOR TUNA CAUGHT OUTSIDE THE ETP .................................... 10 F. OFFICIAL AND ALTERNATIVE "DOLPHIN-SAFE" MARKS AND LABELS ....................................... 12 G. THE "DOLPHIN-SAFE" TRACKING AND VERIFICATION PROGRAM AND OTHER ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS ...................................................................................................... 13 H. THE "DOLPHIN SAFE" SCHEME ESTABLISHED UNDER THE AIDCP .......................... 14 III. PARTIES' REQUESTS FOR FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS....................... 15 IV. ARGUMENTS OF THE PARTIES ...................................................................................... 16 A. FIRST WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS .................................................................................................... 16 1. Mexico ...................................................................................................................................... 16 (a) Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 16 (b) Summary of facts and background information ........................................................................ 17 (i) Tuna fishing .............................................................................................................................. 17 Tuna and dolphins ................................................................................................................................... 17 Tuna fishing and dolphins mortality in the ETP .............................................................................. 17 Fishing methods ............................................................................................................................... 17 (ii) Efforts to protect dolphins ........................................................................................................ 18 Multilateral efforts ................................................................................................................................... 18 Actions of the United States .................................................................................................................... 18 (iii) The Mexican fishing fleet .......................................................................................................... 19 (iv) Adverse effects of the measure .................................................................................................. 20 (c) Subject products ........................................................................................................................ 20 (d) Specific measures at issue ......................................................................................................... 20 (e) Legal argument ......................................................................................................................... 20 (i) GATT 1994 ................................................................................................................................ 21 Mexico's claim under Article III:4 of the GATT 1994 ............................................................................ 21 Like products ................................................................................................................................... 21 Law, regulation, or requirement affecting their internal sale, offering for sale, purchase, transportation, distribution, or use ................................................................................................... 21 Less favourable treatment ................................................................................................................ 22 Mexico's claim under Article I:1 of the GATT 1994 .............................................................................. 23 WT/DS381/R Page ii Like products ................................................................................................................................... 23 Advantage, favour or privilege on a product originating in other WTO Members .......................... 23 Accorded immediately and unconditionally to the like product originating in the territories of all other Members ....................................................................................................... 23 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................................. 24 (ii) Claims under the TBT Agreement ............................................................................................. 24 The US measures constitute a technical regulation ................................................................................. 24 The measures are inconsistent with Article 2.2 ....................................................................................... 25 The measures do not fulfil a legitimate objective ............................................................................ 25 The US measures are more trade-restrictive than necessary taking account of the risks non-fulfilment would create ............................................................................................................. 26 The US measures are inconsistent with Article 2.4 ................................................................................. 26 AIDCP standard ............................................................................................................................... 26 The AIDCP standard is a relevant international standard ................................................................ 26 International standard .................................................................................................................. 26 Relevant ....................................................................................................................................... 26 The United States failed to base its regulation on the relevant international standard ..................... 27 The relevant international standard does not constitute an ineffective or inappropriate means for the fulfilment of the legitimate objectives pursued ......................................................... 27 The US measures are inconsistent with Article 2.1 ................................................................................. 27 (f) Conclusions ............................................................................................................................... 27 2. United States ............................................................................................................................ 27 (a) Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 27 (b) Legal argument ......................................................................................................................... 28 (i) The US dolphin-safe labelling provisions are not inconsistent with GATT 1994 Article III:4 ............................................................................................................................... 29 (ii) The US dolphin-safe labelling provisions are not inconsistent with GATT 1994 Article I:1 .................................................................................................................................. 29 (iii) The US dolphin-safe labelling provisions are not technical regulations and therefore not subject to Article 2 of the TBT Agreement .......................................................................... 30 (iv) The US measures are not inconsistent with Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement ........................ 30 (v) The US dolphin-safe labelling provisions are not inconsistent with Article 2.2 of the TBT Agreement ......................................................................................................................... 31 (vi) The US dolphin-safe labelling provisions are not inconsistent with Article 2.4 of the TBT Agreement ......................................................................................................................... 33 (c) Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 35 B. OPENING ORAL STATEMENTS AT THE FIRST SUBSTANTIVE MEETING ....................................... 35 1. Mexico .....................................................................................................................................