Obama Administration to Appeal WTO Decision Against Dolphins – January 25, 2012

Mexico Is Seeking to Overturn the Dolphin Safe Label on Tuna

The Obama administration announced last week that it is in the process of appealing a 2011 decision by the World Trade Organization (WTO) that seeks to weaken the US Dolphin Safe tuna standards. The move has been applauded by Earth Island Institute’s International Marine Mammal Project (IMMP), which established the international Dolphin Safe Tuna labeling program in 1990 and monitors tuna companies around the world for compliance.

Photo by Steve JurvetsonThe Mexican government uses a much weaker standard for calling canned tuna “Dolphin Safe.”

More than 7 million dolphins have been drowned by tuna boats since the practice of chasing and netting dolphins… more

by: Mark J. Palmer

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WTO Ruling on US ‘Dolphin Safe’ Tuna Label is a Mixed Bag – September 22, 2011

False Claims by Mexico and Other Nations Shouldn’t Weaken Label’s Standards

A World Trade Organization (WTO) decision on the “Dolphin Safe” tuna label has been making headlines lately, leading to speculation about what it means for the status of the label and the standards the tuna industry require to maintain to be eligible for it.

The label in question.

The international trade body’s decision has several good aspects, but it also muddied things.  A clarification is needed.

Backing up a bit, the WTO dispute panel ruled last week that the U.S. “Dolphin Safe” labels on tuna products could be overly burdensome and restrictive of trade, although the panel also ruled that the goals of the labels were legitimate,… more

by: Mark J. Palmer

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