WTO Tuna-Dolphin Case
Photo credit: WayneandWax
After years of sustained trade law challenges, the Bush administration decided to quietly implement a change to a “dolphin safe” labeling policy which Mexico had demanded as necessary to implement a GATT ruling. (Mexico had threatened a new WTO case if their demands were not met). On New Years Eve 2002, when few Americans were focused on policy matters, the Bush administration announced that it would change the “Flipper-friendly” tuna policy to allow the “dolphin-safe” label to be used on tuna caught using deadly purse seine nets and dolphin encirclement. This regulation is now being challenged in federal court.
Learn More:
- WTO Dispute Settlement Record
- (07/12/2013) Press Release: Obama Administration Sides With Consumers and Stands Firm on ‘Dolphin-Safe’ Tuna Labels; Will the WTO Authorize Trade Sanctions Against the U.S.?
- (10/25/2012) Letter: Members of Congress Send a Letter to USTR Calling for Protection of Dolphin-Safe Tuna Labeling in the TPP
- (7/26/2012) Letter: Senators Express Concern to Mexican Ambassador About WTO Ruling on Dolphin-Safe Labeling
- (7/26/2012) Letter: Senators Express Concern to Administration About WTO Ruling on Dolphin-Safe Labeling
- (5/31/2012) Letter: 42 Representatives Urge President Obama to Protect Dolphin-Safe Tuna Label
- (5/16/2012) Press Release: Public Citizen Condemns WTO Attack on U.S. Dolphin Protection Efforts
- (2/13/2012) Letter: Groups to Obama on the Government of Mexico’s Failure to Fulfill NAFTA Obligations for Dolphin-Safe Tuna Label Dispute
- (1/20/2012) Press Release: Public Citizen Applauds Obama Administration’s Appeal of Trade Ruling Against U.S. Dolphin Protection Measures
- (12/17/2011) OWINFS Statement: WTO Turnaround: Food, Jobs and Sustainable Development First
- (9/15/2011) Blog Post: Flipper Gets Axed by the WTO
- (9/15/2011) Press Release: WTO Rules Against Dolphin-Safe Tuna Labels
- (5/20/2011) Eyes on Trade Blog: U.S. Dolphin-Safe Tuna Labeling Rule Deemed a WTO Violation
- (4/11/2003) Backgrounder: “GATT-Zilla vs. Flipper” Dolphin Case Demonstrates How Trade Agreements Undermine Domestic Environmental, Public Interest Policies
- (4/10/2003) U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California Record: Earth Island Institute, et. al. v. Donald Evans, et. al
- (March/April 2000) Harmonization Alert: U.S. Court Rejects Weakened Standards on “Dolphin Safe” Labeling for Tuna