Side Event
Trading Precaution: The Precautionary Principle and the WTO
Organizer
UNU-IAS
Date and Time
16 March 2006 13:15 - 15:0
This side event draws on the UNU-IAS report "Trading Precaution: The Precautionary Principle and the WTO". This report examines the debate on the evolution of the precautionary principle in the context of the WTO. It clarifies proposals to enhance the incorporation of this principle in the rules of the multilateral trading system and addresses the tensions between the WTO and multi-lateral environmental agreements (MEAs). The report analyses how the WTO is responding to the challenges posed by its Member States in raising the precautionary principle before dispute panels. The side event will examine these issues in light of the recently announced ruling of the WTO Dispute Panel in the case of the EU and US.