Genetically Modified Organisms and Trade Rules : Identifying Important Challenges for the WTO

Controversial debates associated with the establishment of international market access rules for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) illustrate a more general challenge facing the World Trade Organisation (WTO); to acceptably accommodate growing consumer concerns regarding a product's production and processing methods (PPM). This paper aims to clarify the debates by examining the foundations of and the procedures for the WTO's decision-making on PPM-based market access rules. To illustrate this, both an import embargo and a mandatory labelling regulation for GMOs are examined. The strengths and weaknesses of the current decision-making procedure are discussed and options for future negotiations are proposed