Law Commons^™

Empathizing With France And Pakistan On Agricultural Subsidy Issues In The Doha Round, Raj Bhala

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

Among the most contentious issues (if not the most contentious issue) in the Doha Round negotiations are agricultural subsidies. Developed countries stand accused of selfish adherence to domestic support and export subsidies that impoverish farmers in developing countries. Developing countries are blamed for self-inflicted wounds, caused by stubborn adherence to protectionist policies, covering both agricultural and industrial sectors. Agricultural subsidy cuts, as well as increased market access, are politically impossible for developed countries to concede without reciprocal access from developing countries, not only on farm products, but also in non-agricultural markets and service sectors.

There has been, and continues to …

The Limits Of International Human Rights Law And The Role Of Food Sovereignty In Protecting People From Further Trade Liberalization Under The Doha Round Negotiations, Wenonah Hauter

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

International free trade agreements under the auspices of the World Trade Organization (WTO) seriously undermine the international human right to adequate food. Conceivably, those deprived should be able to seek redress under Article 11 of the International. Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), which spells out the right to adequate food. Unfortunately, while the concept of the right to adequate food has developed substantially since its inception, its implementation has been slow. It is not a well-developed tool for individuals or the groups representing them to redress harms that will likely result from the current Doha Round negotiations …

Food Safety, South-North Asymmetries, And The Clash Of Regulatory Regimes, Obijiofor Aginam

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

This Article explores the globalization of food safety concerns driven by the phenomenon of economic globalization, and the "legalization" of food safety disputes within the rules-based architecture of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Focusing on the interaction between WTO norms and the treaties of other multilateral organizations, the Article discusses the implications of the "clash of food safety regulatory regimes" for South-North asymmetrical relations between the rich and poor countries. The Article also discusses global economic diplomacy and the emerging WTO jurisprudence on the Agreement on Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary Measures (SPS) disputes. This Article explores both the perceived and actual …

Choosing Between Liberalization And Regulatory Autonomy Under Gats: Implications Of U.S.-Gambling For Trade In Cross Border E-Services, Nancy J. King, Kishani Kalupahana

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

In 2005, the World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body presided over United States--Measures affecting the cross-border supply of gambling and betting services (U.S.-Gambling), in which Antigua argued that U.S. criminal laws banning the provision of cross-border online gambling services violate U.S. commitments under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). For the first time, the WTO's dispute settlement process directly addressed the application of GATS to domestic regulatory barriers restricting cross-border trade in services. This Article examines GATS rules on domestic regulation as well as the WTO Appellate Body and Panel decisions in the case and asks if the …

Liberalizing Trade In Agriculture And Food Security--Mission Impossible?, Christine Kaufmann, Simone Heri

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

The Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (WTO) foresees that trade should be conducted with a view to raising standards of living. It is undisputed that raising living standards contributes to the implementation of the right to food. Indeed, state parties to the WTO have obligations regarding the right to food not only under the international trade system, but also under the human rights regime. All WTO state parties are bound by customary human rights law, and most have ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, of which Article 11 contains the most important codification of the …