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WTO is a ‘danger to health’ says Medact

Public health protection is in danger of becoming subordinate to trade interests, health professionals’ organisation Medact has warned.

Although negotiations on future World Trade Organisation agreements collapsed in a blaze of protest in Seattle last November, past agreements continue to hold large implications for health.

WTO agreements stipulate that in a trade dispute, products must be compared to ‘like’ products without considering the methods or practices that have produced them.

This means that countries cannot ban imports of foreign beef derived from cows fed with antibiotics or hormones, even if local regulations ban such practices.

The US has argued that GM products are technically ‘like’ non-GM products, especially in those cases where genetically-modified organisms have only been used in part of the production process.

Similarly, products made by compromising labour rights or safety standards are considered identical to those produced with respect for such standards.

Newly developed pharmaceuticals, pesticides, food additives, and GM foods may become the subject of future disputes where ‘risk assessment procedures may remain confidential due to their commercial nature’, Medact has warned.

A full review is needed of the current state of WTO agreements and their implications for health, it adds.

A report on the issues, World Trade Organisation: implications for health policy, is available from Medact. Tel: 0207 2722020; email mikerowson@medact.org