DISPUTE SETTLEMENT

DS: United States — Measures Concerning the Importation, Marketing and Sale of Tuna and Tuna Products

This summary has been prepared by the Secretariat under its own responsibility. The summary is for general information only and is not intended to affect the rights and obligations of Members.

  

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Key facts

 

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Summary of the dispute to date

The summary below was up-to-date at

Consultations

Complaint by Mexico. 

On 24 October 2008, Mexico requested consultations with the United States with respect to the following measures: (i) the United States Code, Title 16, Section 1385 (“Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act”), (ii) the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 50, Section 216.91 (“Dolphin‑safe labeling standards”) and Section 216.92 (“Dolphin‑safe requirements for tuna harvested in the ETP [Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean] by large purse seine vessels”) and (iii) the ruling in Earth Island Institute v. Hogarth, 494 F.3d 757 (9th Cir. 2007). 

Mexico alleged that the measures at issue, which establish the conditions for use of a “dolphin‑safe” label on tuna products and condition the access to the US Department of Commerce official dolphin-safe label upon bringing certain documentary evidence that varies depending on the area where tuna contained in the tuna product is harvested and the fishing method by which it is harvested are inconsistent, inter alia, with Articles I:1 and III:4 of the GATT 1994 and Article 2.1, 2.2 and 2.4 of the TBT Agreement.

On 6 November 2008, the European Communities requested to join the consultations.  On 7 November 2008, Australia requested to join the consultations.

On 9 March 2009, Mexico requested the establishment of a panel.  At its meeting on 20 March 2009, the DSB deferred the establishment of a panel.

 

Panel and Appellate Body proceedings

At its meeting on 20 April 2009, the DSB established a panel.  Argentina, Australia, China, Ecuador, the European Communities, Guatemala, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Chinese Taipei and Turkey reserved their third-party rights. Brazil, Canada, Thailand and Venezuela subsequently reserved their third-party rights. On 2 December 2009, Mexico requested the Director-General to determine the composition of the panel.  On 14 December 2009, the Director-General composed the panel.  On 15 June 2010, the Chairman of the panel informed the DSB that in accordance with the timetable adopted by the panel after consultations with the parties to the dispute it envisaged to issue its final report to the parties in February 2011.

Following the death of Mr Sivakant Tiwari on 26 July 2010, the parties agreed on a new member of the Panel on 12 August 2010.   

On 24 February 2011, the Chairman of the panel informed the DSB that due to the modification of the timetable required as a result of the unforeseen change in the composition of the Panel, as well as the complexity of a number of issues raised in this case, the Panel expected to issue its final report to the parties by 8 June 2011.

On 15 September 2011, the panel report was circulated to Members.

  • This dispute concerns the following measures: (i) the United States Code, Title 16, Section 1385 (“Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act”), (ii) the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 50, Section 216.91 (“Dolphin‑safe labeling standards”) and Section 216.92 (“Dolphin‑safe requirements for tuna harvested in the ETP [Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean] by large purse seine vessels”) and (iii) the ruling in Earth Island Institute v. Hogarth, 494 F.3d 757 (9th Cir. 2007). These measures establish the conditions for use of a “dolphin‑safe” label on tuna products. The measures condition the access to the US Department of Commerce official dolphin-safe label upon bringing certain documentary evidence that varies depending on the area where tuna contained in the tuna product is harvested and the fishing method by which it is harvested.
     
  • Mexico's main claims were that the measures were discriminatory, and that they were also unnecessary.
     
  • The Panel first determined whether the US dolphin-safe labelling provisions constitute a technical regulation under the TBT Agreement.  The Panel found that they do, and in particular that the measures are mandatory within the meaning of Annex 1.1 of the TBT Agreement.  One of the members of the Panel expressed a dissenting opinion on this particular issue but sided with the majority for the rest of the report. The Panel then examined Mexico's claims under Articles 2.1, 2.2, and 2.4 of the TBT Agreement.
     
  • The Panel rejected Mexico's first claim by finding that the US dolphin-safe labelling provisions do not discriminate against Mexican tuna products and are therefore not inconsistent with Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement. Despite finding that Mexican tuna products are like tuna products originating in the United States or any other country within the meaning of Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement, the Panel concluded that Mexican tuna products are not afforded less favourable treatment than tuna products of US and other origins in respect of the US dolphin safe labelling provisions on the basis of their origin.
     
  • With respect to Mexico's claim under Article 2.2 of the TBT Agreement, the Panel found that Mexico had demonstrated that the US dolphin-safe labelling provisions are more trade-restrictive than necessary to fulfil the legitimate objectives of (i) ensuring that consumers are not misled or deceived about whether tuna products contain tuna that was caught in a manner that adversely affects dolphins  and (ii) contributing to the protection of dolphins, by ensuring that the US market is not used to encourage fishing fleets to catch tuna in a manner that adversely affects dolphins, taking account of the risks non-fulfilment would create. The Panel's conclusion was based on the following two findings: (i) the findings that the US dolphin-safe labelling provisions only partly address the legitimate objectives pursued by the United States and (ii) the finding that Mexico had provided the panel with a less trade restrictive alternative capable of achieving the same level of protection of the objective pursued by the US dolphin-safe labelling provisions.
     
  • As regards Mexico's claim under Article 2.4 of the TBT Agreement, the Panel found that the US dolphin-safe labelling provisions are not in violation of such provision, which requires technical regulations to be based on relevant international standards where possible. Despite finding that the standard referred to by Mexico is a relevant international standard for the purposes of the US dolphin-safe provisions and that the United States has not used it as basis for its measures, the Panel concluded that this standard would not be appropriate or effective to achieve the US objectives.
     
  • The Panel declined to rule in addition on Mexico's non-discrimination claims under the GATT 1994 and therefore exercised judicial economy with respect to Mexico's claims under Articles I:1 and III:4 of the GATT.

On 31 October 2011, Mexico and the United States requested the DSB to adopt a draft decision extending the 60-day time period stipulated in Article 16.4 of the DSU, to 20 January 2012. At its meeting on 11 November 2011, the DSB agreed that, upon a request by Mexico or the United States, the DSB, shall no later than 20 January 2012, adopt the panel report, unless the DSB decides by consensus not to do so or Mexico or the United States notifies the DSB of its decision to appeal pursuant to Article 16.4 of the DSU.

On 20 January 2012, the United States notified the DSB of its decision to appeal certain issues of law and legal interpretations developed by the panel. On 25 January 2012, Mexico notified the DSB of its decision to appeal certain issues of law and legal interpretations developed by the panel, and the panel's failure to make an objective assessment of the matter as required by Article 11 of the DSU.

On 20 March 2012, the Chair of the Appellate Body notified the DSB that it would not be able to circulate its report within 90 days due in part to the size of the appeal, including the number and complexity of the issues raised by the participants.  It was also due to the large caseload that the Appellate Body was facing and scheduling constraints resulting therefrom.  The Appellate Body expects that the report will be circulated to Members no later than 16 May 2012.

On 16 May 2012, the Appellate Body report was circulated to Members.

This dispute arises out of a challenge brought by Mexico against certain legal instruments of the United States (the “measure at issue”) establishing the conditions for the use of a “dolphin-safe” label on tuna products.  The legal instruments identified by Mexico in its panel request comprised the United States Code, Title 16, Section 1385 (the “Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act” or the “DPCIA”), implementing regulations, and a ruling by a US federal appeals court in Earth Island Institute v. Hogarth relating to the application of the DPCIA.  The measure at issue does not make the use of a “dolphin-safe” label obligatory for the importation or sale of tuna products in the United States.  The conditions established in the measure at issue vary depending on the area where the tuna contained in the tuna product is caught and the type of vessel and fishing method by which it is harvested.  In particular, tuna products made from tuna caught by “setting on” dolphins (that is, chasing and encircling dolphins with a net in order to catch the tuna associating with them) are not eligible for a “dolphin-safe” label in the United States.  Before the Panel, Mexico alleged that the measure at issue is inconsistent with Articles I:1 and III:4 of the GATT 1994, and Articles 2.1, 2.2, and 2.4 of the TBT Agreement.

Regarding the question of whether the measure at issue constitutes a “technical regulation”, the Appellate Body found that the Panel did not err in characterizing the measure at issue as a “technical regulation” within the meaning of Annex 1.1 to the TBT Agreement.  The Appellate Body noted that the challenged measure is composed of legislative and regulatory acts of the US federal authorities and includes administrative provisions.  The Appellate Body added that the measure sets out a single and legally mandated definition of a “dolphin-safe” tuna product and disallows the use of other labels on tuna products that use the terms “dolphin-safe”, dolphins, porpoises and marine mammals and do not satisfy this definition.  In doing so, the US measure prescribes in a broad and exhaustive manner the conditions that apply for making any assertion on a tuna product as to its “dolphin-safety”, regardless of the manner in which that statement is made. 

With respect to Mexico's claim under Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement, the Appellate Body reversed the Panel's finding that the US “dolphin-safe” labelling provisions are not inconsistent with Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement, and found, instead, that the US measure is inconsistent with Article 2.1.  The Appellate Body reasoned, first, that, by excluding most Mexican tuna products from access to the “dolphin-safe” label while granting access to most US tuna products and tuna products from other countries, the measure modifies the conditions of competition in the US market to the detriment of Mexican tuna products.  Next, the Appellate Body scrutinized whether, in the light of the factual findings made by the Panel and undisputed facts on the record, the detrimental impact from the measure stems exclusively from a legitimate regulatory distinction.  In particular, the Appellate Body examined whether the different conditions for access to a “dolphin-safe” label are “calibrated” to the risks to dolphins arising from different fishing methods in different areas of the ocean, as the United States had claimed.  The Appellate Body noted the Panel's finding that the fishing technique of setting on dolphins is particularly harmful to dolphins and that this fishing method has the capacity of resulting in observed and unobserved adverse effects on dolphins.  At the same time, the Panel was not persuaded that the risks to dolphins from other fishing techniques are insignificant and do not under some circumstances rise to the same level as the risks from setting on dolphins.  The Appellate Body further noted  the Panel's finding that, while the US measure fully addresses the adverse effects on dolphins resulting (including observed and unobserved effects) from setting on dolphins in the ETP, it does not address mortality arising from fishing methods other than setting on dolphins in other areas of the ocean.  In these circumstances, the Appellate Body found that the measure at issue is not even-handed in the manner in which it addresses the risks to dolphins arising from different fishing techniques in different areas of the ocean.

Regarding Mexico's claim under Article 2.2 of the TBT Agreement, the Appellate Body reversed the Panel's finding that Mexico had demonstrated that the US “dolphin-safe” labelling provisions are more trade restrictive than necessary to fulfil the United States' legitimate objectives.  In doing so, the Appellate Body reasoned, inter alia, that the Panel had conducted a flawed analysis and comparison between the challenged measure and the alternative measure proposed by Mexico and also noted that the latter would not make an equivalent contribution to the United States' objectives as the US measure in all ocean areas.  On this basis, the Appellate Body reversed the Panel's finding that the measure is inconsistent with Article 2.2 of the TBT Agreement.

Mexico filed a conditional other appeal in the event that the Appellate Body reverses the Panel's finding that the measure at issue is inconsistent with Article 2.2 of the TBT Agreement.  As the condition on which Mexico premised its request was met, the Appellate Body addressed Mexico's other appeal and rejected both grounds of appeal, namely, Mexico's claim that the Panel erred in finding the United States' dolphin protection objective to be a legitimate objective, and Mexico's claim that the Panel erred in proceeding to examine whether there was a less trade-restrictive alternative measure after it had found that the measure at issue could, at best, only partially fulfil the United States' objectives.

The Appellate Body did not disagree with the Panel's conclusion that the US measure at issue is not inconsistent with Article 2.4 of the TBT Agreement.  The Appellate Body reversed however the Panel's intermediate finding that the “dolphin‑safe” definition and certification developed within the framework of the Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Program (“AIDCP”) is a “relevant international standard” within the meaning of Article 2.4 of the TBT Agreement.  In particular, the Appellate Body concluded that the Panel erred in finding that the AIDCP, to which new parties can accede only by invitation, is “open to the relevant body of every country and is therefore an international standardizing organization” for purposes of Article 2.4 of the TBT Agreement.

The Appellate Body found that the Panel acted inconsistently with Article 11 of the DSU in exercising judicial economy with respect to Mexico's claims under Articles I:1 and III:4 of the GATT 1994.

At its meeting on 13 June 2012, the DSB adopted the Appellate Body report and the panel report, as modified by the Appellate Body report.

 

Reasonable period of time

At the DSB meeting on 25 June 2012, the United States said that it intends to implement the DSB recommendations and rulings in a manner that respects its obligations and that it would need a reasonable period of time to do so. On 17 September 2012, the United States and Mexico informed the DSB that they had agreed that the reasonable period of time for the United States to implement the DSB recommendations and rulings shall be 13 months. Accordingly, the reasonable period of time expired on 13 July 2013.

 

Implementation of adopted reports

At the DSB meeting on 23 July 2013, the United States noted that on 13 July 2013 it had made effective a final rule that amended certain dolphin-safe labelling requirements and had brought those requirements into compliance with the DSB recommendations and rulings. The final rule brought the United States into compliance with the DSB recommendations and rulings within the reasonable period of time.

On 2 August 2013, Mexico and the United States informed the DSB of Agreed Procedures under Articles 21 and 22 of the DSU.

 

Compliance proceedings

On 14 November 2013, Mexico requested the establishment of a compliance panel. At its meeting on 25 November 2013, the DSB deferred the establishment of a panel. At its meeting on 22 January 2014, the DSB agreed to refer to the original panel, if possible, the matter raised by Mexico. Canada, China, the European Union, Guatemala, Japan, Korea, Norway and Thailand reserved their third-party rights. Subsequently, Australia and New Zealand reserved their third-party rights. On 27 January 2014, the compliance panel was composed. On 16 April 2014, the Chair of the compliance panel informed the DSB that the compliance panel expected to issue its final report to the parties by December 2014, in accordance with the timetable adopted after consultation with the parties. On 28 January 2015, the Chair of the compliance panel informed the DSB that the compliance panel expected to issue its final report to the parties by 30 January 2015.

On 14 April 2015, the compliance panel report was circulated to Members.

In response to the panel and Appellate Body reports issued in the original proceedings, the United States modified certain of the regulations that were part of the original tuna measure. These amendments required that all tuna sought to be entered into the United States as “dolphin-safe”, regardless of where it was caught or the nationality of the fishing vessel, must be accompanied by a certification that (a) no nets were intentionally set on dolphins in the set in which the tuna was caught; and (b) no dolphins were killed or seriously injured in the sets in which the tuna was caught. However, other documentation and tracking and verification requirements continued to differ depending on where the tuna was caught. Additionally, the measure continued to bar tuna caught by setting on dolphins from being labelled as “dolphin-safe”. The regulations as amended, together with the unamended enabling legislation (the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act) and the 9th circuit decision in Earth Island Institute v Hogarth, were referred to by the panel as the “amended tuna measure”.

Mexico complained that the amended tuna measure did not bring the United States into compliance with its obligations under the WTO Agreement. In particular, Mexico argued that that amended tuna measure violated:

  1. Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement;
  2. Article I:1 of the GATT 1994; and
  3. Article III of the GATT 1994.

The United States argued that the amended tuna measure brought it into conformity with the rulings and recommendations of the DSB in the original proceedings. Additionally, the United States argued that certain aspects of Mexico's complaint were outside the panel's terms of reference because they related to aspects of the measure that were unchanged from the original proceedings.

Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement

The panel rejected Mexico's claim that the amended tuna measure was inconsistent with Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement because it barred tuna caught by setting on dolphins from accessing the “dolphin-safe” label. The panel accepted that this aspect of the measure had a detrimental impact on the competitive opportunities of Mexican tuna and tuna products in the United States. However, in the panel's view the Appellate Body had already found, in the original proceedings, that the different harms caused by setting on dolphins on the one hand and other tuna fishing methods on the other hand justified the United States' decision to treat those fishing methods differently. In the panel's view, none of the new evidence submitted by Mexico raised doubt about this Appellate Body conclusion. 

The panel then recalled that, in the original proceedings, the Appellate Body had found that the tuna measure was inconsistent with Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement because it imposed a discriminatory burden on certain tuna depending on where it was caught. The panel then turned to consider whether this discrimination had been removed in the amended tuna measure.

The panel agreed with Mexico that the amended tuna measure remained inconsistent with Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement because it imposed different certification and tracking and verification requirements depending on the fishery where the tuna was caught. These differences de facto discriminated against Mexican tuna and tuna products by subjecting such tuna to additional burdens not faced by tuna caught by other Members. In particular, tuna caught in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) large purse seine fishery, where most of Mexico's fleet fishes, could be labelled as dolphin safe only if both the captain and an independent observer certified that the tuna was caught without harming dolphins; whereas tuna caught in all other fisheries required only a captain certification. Additionally, the tracking and verification requirements for tuna caught in the ETP large purse seine fishery were more onerous than those imposed on tuna caught in other fisheries. The panel found that these differences modified the conditions of competition to the detriment of Mexican tuna and tuna products. Additionally, the panel concluded that this detrimental treatment did not stem exclusively from a legitimate regulatory distinction and was not even-handed. This was because, in the panel's view, the United States had not discharged its burden of explaining how these different regulatory requirements were related to or justified by the policy goals of protecting dolphins and providing consumers with accurate information.

One panelist did not agree that the amended tuna measure violated Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement because it required independent observer certification for tuna caught in the ETP large purse seine fishery but not in other fisheries. According to this panelist, this distinction was justified on the basis that setting on dolphins consistently involves a higher degree of risks to dolphins than other fishing methods. However, this panelist agreed that the different tracking and verification requirements violated Article 2.1.

Article I:1 of the GATT 1994

The panel found that the amended tuna measure made access to the “dolphin-safe” label for tuna caught in the ETP large purse seine fishery conditional upon certain additional requirements that were not imposed on tuna caught in other fisheries. As such, the panel found that the measure was inconsistent with Article I:1 of the GATT 1994.

Article III:4 of the GATT 1994

The panel found that the amended tuna measure modified the conditions of competition in the United States market to the detriment of Mexican tuna and tuna products. The measure denied access to the “dolphin-safe” label to tuna caught by setting on dolphins, Mexico's primary fishing method, and also imposed additional, burdensome certification and tracking and verification requirements on tuna caught in the ETP large purse seine fishery, where most of Mexico's fleet fishes. Accordingly, the measure was inconsistent with Article III:4 of the GATT 1994.

The United States' defence under Articles XX(b) and (g)

The United States argued that, to the extent the amended tuna measure was inconsistent with the GATT 1994, it was justified under Article XX(b) or Article XX(g).

The panel agreed with the United States that the barring of tuna caught by setting on dolphins from accessing the label was justified under Article XX(g) and was not applied in a manner that constituted arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination or a disguised restriction on trade. This aspect of the amended tuna measure was therefore justified under subparagraph (g) and the chapeau of Article XX.

The panel agreed with the United States that the different certification requirements “related to” conservation within the meaning of Article XX(g). However, a majority of the panel held that these requirements were applied in an arbitrarily discriminatory manner, in contravention of the chapeau. One panelist disagreed, and felt that the different certification requirements were consistent with the chapeau.

Finally, the panel held that the different tracking and verification requirements “related to” conservation within the meaning of Article XX(g). However, the panel held that these requirements were applied in a manner that constituted arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination, and accordingly were inconsistent with the chapeau of Article XX.

The panel exercised judicial economy with respect to the United States' defence under Article XX(b) as it did not consider it necessary to make a ruling under this provision in order to resolve the dispute.

On 5 June 2015, the United States notified the DSB of its decision to appeal certain issues of law covered in the compliance panel report. On 10 June 2015, Mexico filed an other appeal in the same dispute.

On 3 August 2015, upon expiry of the 60-day period provided for in Article 17.5 of the DSU, the Appellate Body informed the DSB that the Appellate Body Report in this appeal  would be circulated to WTO Members no later than Friday, 20 November 2015.

On 20 November 2015, the Appellate Body report was circulated to Members.

These proceedings concern the US regime establishing the conditions for labelling tuna products as “dolphin safe”. The amended US measure comprises three main sets of labelling conditions, namely the “eligibility criteria” (i.e. the disqualification from access to the dolphin-safe label of tuna products derived from tuna caught by setting on dolphins, together with the qualification for the label of tuna products caught using other fishing methods), the “certification requirements” (requiring certification of the dolphin-safe status of tuna that must, within the ETP large purse-seine fishery, be provided by both the vessel captain and an independent observer on board the vessel and, outside the ETP large purse-seine fishery, be provided only by the vessel captain), and the “tracking and verification requirements” (requiring that tuna products be accompanied by certain documents showing that dolphin-safe tuna was segregated from non-dolphin-safe tuna from the time of catch throughout the processing chain). The “certification requirements” also include the “determination provisions”, whereby the NMFS Assistant Administrator may, if certain conditions are met, also require certification of the dolphin-safe status of tuna from an independent on-board observer for tuna caught in a specific fishery outside the ETP large purse-seine fishery.

The United States appealed the compliance Panel's findings that the “certification requirements” and the “tracking and verification requirements” under the amended measure are inconsistent with Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement and Articles I:1 and III:4 of the GATT 1994, and not justified under the chapeau of Article XX. The Panel also found the “eligibility criteria” under that measure to be consistent with Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement and, although inconsistent with Articles I:1 and III:4 of the GATT 1994, to be justified under the chapeau of Article XX. Mexico appealed these Panel findings and also alleged that the Panel erred in making its findings with respect to discrete elements of the amended measure instead of assessing the measure as a whole.

The Appellate Body highlighted that the panel had conducted segmented analyses of, and reached separate findings with respect to, each of the “eligibility criteria”, the “certification requirements”, and the “tracking and verification requirements” under the amended tuna measure, without accounting for the manner in which these elements are interrelated. The Appellate Body declined to pronounce on the consequences of this approach in the abstract, instead taking account of the Panel's segmented analysis in examining the specific findings challenged on appeal.

Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement

With respect to whether the amended tuna measure has a detrimental impact on Mexican tuna products, the Appellate Body found that the Panel erred, among other things, by: (i) conducting segmented analyses for each of the labelling conditions under the amended US measure, without assessing the manner in which such labelling conditions operate together to affect the conditions of competition for Mexican tuna products in the US market; (ii) focusing its analysis of the certification and tracking and verification requirements on a subset of the relevant groups of like products.

With respect to whether the detrimental impact on Mexican tuna products stems exclusively from a legitimate regulatory distinction, the Appellate Body found that the Panel did not err in its articulation of the legal standard. The Appellate Body found, however, that the Panel erred in applying that test to the measure at issue by: (i) reaffirming the supposed “finding” of the Appellate Body that the eligibility criteria are even‑handed and not inconsistent with Article 2.1; and (ii) failing to consider whether differences in the relative risks of harm to dolphins in different fisheries explain or justify the differences in the certification requirements and the tracking and verification requirements applied inside and outside the ETP large purse-seine fishery.

Based on the foregoing, the Appellate Body reversed the Panel's finding that the “eligibility criteria” do not accord less favourable treatment to Mexican tuna products than to like products from the United States and other countries, and are therefore consistent with Article 2.1, as well as the Panel's separate findings that the “certification requirements” and the “tracking and verification requirements” accord less favourable treatment to Mexican tuna products than to like products from the United States and other countries, and are therefore inconsistent with Article 2.1.

The Appellate Body then proceeded to complete the legal analysis, and found that, by excluding most Mexican tuna products from access to the dolphin-safe label, while granting conditional access to such label to like products from the United States and other countries, the amended tuna measure modifies the conditions of competition to the detriment of Mexican tuna products in the US market. In the absence of a proper assessment by the Panel of the risks posed to dolphins inside and outside the ETP large purse-seine fishery, the Appellate Body was unable to assess fully whether all of the regulatory distinctions drawn under the amended tuna measure can be explained and justified in the light of differences in the relative risks to dolphins in those different fisheries. Nevertheless, the Appellate Body was able to find that the “determination provisions” do not provide for observer certification in all circumstances of comparably high risks, and are therefore not reconcilable with the US measure's objectives. On this basis, the Appellate Body found that the amended measure is inconsistent with Article 2.1.

Articles I:1, III:4, and XX of the GATT 1994

With respect to the consistency of the amended tuna measure with Articles I:1 and III:4 of the GATT 1994, the Appellate Body found that the Panel erred, among other things, by: (i) conducting segmented analyses for each of the labelling conditions under the amended US measure, without assessing the manner in which such labelling conditions operate together to affect the conditions of competition for Mexican tuna products in the US market; (ii) focusing its analysis of the certification and tracking and verification requirements on a subset of the relevant groups of like products. Thus, the Appellate Body reversed the Panel's findings that the three sets of requirements under the amended US measure are each inconsistent with Articles I:1 and III:4.

With respect to the chapeau of Article XX of the GATT 1994, the Appellate Body expressed concern with the Panel's reasoning regarding whether the relevant conditions prevailing are “the same”, including its view that the relevant conditions are not the same for the eligibility criteria, but are the same for the certification requirements. The Appellate Body found that the Panel did not err in its articulation of the legal standard, or by virtue of its reliance on elements of its reasoning from its analysis under Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement. However, for reasons similar to those that led it to find that the Panel erred in its analysis of whether the detrimental impact stems exclusively from a legitimate regulatory distinction under Article 2.1, the Appellate Body found Panel error, and, therefore, reversed the Panel's finding that the eligibility criteria are consistent with the chapeau, as well as the Panel's separate findings that the different certification requirements and the different tracking and verification requirements are each inconsistent with the chapeau.

In completing the legal analysis under the GATT 1994, the Appellate Body found that the amended measure modifies the competitive conditions to the detriment of Mexican tuna products, inconsistently with Articles I:1 and III:4.

With respect to Article XX, the compliance Panel's findings that dolphins constitute an “exhaustible natural resource” and that the various requirements under the amended tuna measure are provisionally justified under subparagraph (g) of Article XX were not appealed. In completing the analysis on the chapeau, the Appellate Body found that the relevant conditions prevailing between countries, i.e. the risk of harms to dolphins arising from tuna fishing practices, are the same for the purposes of the chapeau of Article XX. Absent a proper assessment by the Panel of the risks posed to dolphins inside and outside the ETP large purse-seine fishery, the Appellate Body was unable to complete the analysis of whether the discrimination under the amended tuna measure can be explained and justified in the light of differences in the relative risks to dolphins arising in those different fisheries. Yet, the Appellate Body was able to complete the analysis with respect to the design of the determination provisions. In particular, it found that these provisions do not provide for the substantive conditions of access to the dolphin-safe label to be reinforced by observer certification in all circumstances of comparably high risk, and that this may also entail different tracking and verification requirements than those that apply inside the ETP large purse-seine fishery. The Appellate Body thus found that the amended measure is not applied consistently with the chapeau of Article XX.

At its meeting on 3 December 2015, the DSB adopted the Article 21.5 Appellate Body reports and panel reports, as modified by the Appellate Body reports.

 

Proceedings under Article 22 of the DSU (remedies)

On 10 March 2016, Mexico requested authorization from the DSB to suspend concessions or other obligations pursuant to Article 22.2 of the DSU. On 22 March 2016, the United States objected to Mexico's proposed level of suspension of concessions or other obligations and referred the matter to arbitration pursuant to Article 22.6 of the DSU. At the DSB meeting of 23 March 2016, it was agreed that the matter had been referred to arbitration as required by Article 22.6 of the DSU. The following Members sent a communication to the DSB reserving their third party rights to the extent that the arbitration proceedings address any disagreement between the parties concerning compliance: the European Union (on 31 March 2016), Canada (on 11 April 2016), and Brazil (on 29 April 2016).

The arbitration was carried out by two panelists from the original panel, and a new Chair due to the unavailability of the Chair of the original panel.

On 25 April 2017, the Arbitrator circulated its decision to Members. The Arbitrator determined that the level of nullification or impairment suffered by Mexico as a result of the 2013 Tuna Measure is USD 163.23 million per annum. The Arbitrator concluded that, in accordance with Article 22.4 of the DSU, Mexico may request authorization from the DSB to suspend concessions or other obligations as indicated in document WT/DS381/29 up to a level not exceeding USD 163.23 million annually.

On 11 May 2017, Mexico requested authorization from the DSB to suspend the application of certain tariff concessions and related obligations to the United States under the GATT 1994 in the amount of US $ 163.23 million on an annual basis, in conformity with the Arbitrators' Decisions pursuant to Article 22.7 of the DSU. At its meeting on 22 May 2017, the DSB authorized Mexico to suspend the application to the United States of concessions or other obligations.

 

Compliance proceedings (recourse by the United States)

On 11 April 2016, the United States requested the establishment of a compliance panel as it considered that the interim final rule of 22 March 2016 brought the dolphin-safe labelling measure subject to the recommendations of the DSB into compliance with the TBT Agreement and the GATT 1994.

At its meeting on 22 April 2016, the DSB deferred the establishment of a compliance panel. At its meeting on 9 May 2016, pursuant to Article 21.5 of the DSU, the DSB agreed to refer to the original panel, if possible, the matter raised by the United States. Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Ecuador, the European Union, Guatemala, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and Norway reserved their third party rights. On 27 May 2016, the compliance panel was composed including a new Chair due to the unavailability of the Chair of the original panel.

On 18 November 2016, the Chair of the compliance panel informed the DSB that, due to the complexities of the issues in dispute, as well as the arbitration proceedings being held in this matter under Article 22.6 of the DSU, in which the panelists in these Article 21.5 proceedings are also serving, the compliance panel expected to issue its final report to the parties by mid-May 2017. On 13 April 2017, the Chair of the compliance panel informed the DSB that, due to the complexity of the issues in dispute, the compliance panel expected to issue its final report to the parties by mid-July 2017.

On 26 October 2017, the compliance panel report was circulated to Members.

Background

Both the proceedings brought by the United States and those brought by Mexico concern the 2016 Tuna Measure. The 2016 Tuna Measure specifies the conditions to be fulfilled in order for tuna products sold in the United States to be labelled “dolphin-safe” or to make similar claims on their labels. The United States requested the Panels in both Article 21.5 proceedings to find that the United States has brought itself into compliance with the DSB recommendations and rulings and that the 2016 Tuna Measure is consistent with Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement and justified under Article XX of the GATT 1994. Mexico requested that the Panels in both proceedings reject the United States' claims in their entirety and find that the 2016 Tuna Measure is inconsistent with Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement and Articles I:1 and III:4 of the GATT 1994, and cannot be justified under Article XX of the GATT 1994:

 

Panels' findings

The Panels defined their task as assessing whether the 2016 Tuna Measure was calibrated to the differences in the overall risks to dolphins arising from the use of different tuna fishing methods in different areas of the ocean. In particular, the Panels defined their task as examining whether the different elements of the 2016 Tuna Measure, namely, (a) the eligibility criteria, (b) the certification requirements, (c) the tracking and verification requirements, and (d) the determination provisions, were calibrated to the differences in the overall risks to dolphins. The Panels also underscored that in considering whether each of these elements were calibrated, they were not undertaking an “isolated consideration of each element” and that due attention would be paid to the ways in which each of these elements “interrelate with each other”.

In developing their analysis, the Panels made extensive factual findings on the risks posed to dolphins by different tuna fishing methods in different parts of the ocean– something that the Appellate Body had criticized the first compliance panel for not doing. On the basis of these factual findings, the Panels concluded that the different elements of the 2016 Tuna Measure were calibrated to the differences in the overall risk profiles of the fishing methods analysed. In addition, keeping in mind the Appellate Body's criticism in the first compliance proceedings regarding the inadequacy of conducting a segmented analysis of the various elements of the Tuna Measure, the Panels provided an overall analysis, taking into account the interlinkages among those elements. On this basis, the Panels came to the general conclusion that the 2016 Tuna Measure, as a whole, is calibrated.

 As a consequence of their conclusion that the 2016 Tuna Measure is calibrated, the Panels found that the distinctions made by the 2016 Tuna Measure between setting on dolphins and the other tuna fishing methods stem exclusively from legitimate regulatory distinctions. Consequently, they found that the Measure accords to Mexican tuna products treatment no less favourable than that accorded to like products from the United States and other countries, and is therefore consistent with the requirements set forth in Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement. The Panels also found that the 2016 Tuna Measure is justified under Article XX of the GATT 1994.

On 1 December 2017, Mexico notified the DSB of its decision to appeal certain issues of law and legal interpretations developed by the compliance panel.

On 29 January 2018, upon expiry of the 60-day period provided for in Article 17.5 of the DSU, the Appellate Body informed the DSB that it would not be able to circulate the Appellate Body report in this appeal by the end of the 60-day period, nor within the 90-day time-frame provided for in Article 17.5 of the DSU. The Appellate Body referred to the substantially enhanced workload it faced in 2018, the existence of several appeals proceeding in parallel, and the increasing overlap in the composition of the Divisions hearing the different appeals owing to the vacancies on the Appellate Body. The Appellate Body also referred to the scheduling issues arising from these circumstances, the number and complexity of the issues raised in this and concurrent appellate proceedings, together with the demands that these concurrent appeals place on the WTO Secretariat's translation services, and the shortage of staff in the Appellate Body Secretariat. The Appellate Body also informed the DSB that the circulation date of the Appellate Body report in this appeal would be communicated to the participants and third participants after the oral hearing.

Although the appeal in this dispute was initiated on 1 December 2017, due to the multiple appeals pending before the Appellate Body, the reduced number of Appellate Body Members, and the shortage of staff in the Appellate Body Secretariat, work on these appeals could gather pace only in May 2018. On 20 November 2018, the Chair of the Appellate Body informed the Chair of the DSB that the report in these proceedings would be circulated no later than 14 December 2018.

On 14 December 2018, the compliance Appellate Body report was circulated to Members.

On appeal, Mexico asserted that the Panels relied on a legal standard that failed to take into account whether the regulatory distinctions of the 2016 Tuna Measure are rationally related to its objectives, and consequently the Panels erred in their calibration analysis because they failed to consider the risks of inaccurate labelling under the 2016 Tuna Measure. Mexico also contended that the Panels erred in their application of Article 2.1 by limiting aspects of their calibration analysis to a comparison of the risk profiles of different fishing methods, by failing to properly assess the different risks to dolphins arising from the use of different fishing methods in different areas of the ocean, and by finding that the 2016 Tuna Measure is calibrated to the risks to dolphins arising from the use of different fishing methods in different areas of the ocean.

The Appellate Body found that an examination of whether the 2016 Tuna Measure is consistent with Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement entails an assessment of: (i) the overall relative risks of harm to dolphins arising from the use of different fishing methods in different ocean areas; and (ii) whether the differences in the dolphin-safe labelling conditions under the measure are appropriately tailored to, or commensurate with, those respective risks. If conducted properly, this assessment would encompass consideration of the rational relationship between the regulatory distinctions drawn by the 2016 Tuna Measure and its objectives. The Appellate Body further considered that the nature of the calibration analysis to be conducted is informed by the nature of the regulatory distinctions drawn by the measure itself, and that it is the regulatory distinctions causing the detrimental impact on imported products that must be calibrated to different risks to dolphins. The Appellate Body also found that the relevant regulatory distinctions to be examined for purposes of calibration in this dispute include the distinction between setting on dolphins and other fishing methods (in the context of the eligibility criteria) and the distinction between the ETP large purse seine fishery and all other fisheries (in the context of the certification and tracking and verification requirements).

The Appellate Body found that the Panels reviewed all relevant evidence of risks to dolphins as provided to them by the parties, and appropriately took into account all relevant types of harm to dolphins. The Appellate Body found no error in the Panels' assessment of the risks to dolphins arising from the use of different fishing methods in different ocean areas, or in their conclusions regarding the risk profiles of relevant fishing methods on the basis of that assessment. According to the Appellate Body, Mexico had not demonstrated that the Panels erred: (i) in reaching the intermediate findings that the eligibility criteria, the certification requirements, and the tracking and verification requirements are calibrated to the risks to dolphins arising from the use of different fishing methods in different areas of the ocean; or (ii) in finding that the 2016 Tuna Measure, as a whole, is calibrated to the risks to dolphins arising from the use of different fishing methods in different areas of the ocean.

Consequently, the Appellate Body upheld the Panels' conclusion that the detrimental impact caused by the 2016 Tuna Measure on Mexican tuna products stems exclusively from a legitimate regulatory distinction and therefore is consistent with Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement. Furthermore, the Appellate Body found that the Panels did not err in relying on the reasoning developed in their calibration analysis under Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement in assessing the conformity of the 2016 Tuna Measure with the chapeau of Article XX of the GATT 1994. The Appellate Body thus also upheld the Panels' conclusion that the 2016 Tuna Measure is not applied in a manner that constitutes a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination and is therefore justified under Article XX of the GATT 1994.

At its meeting on 11 January 2019, the DSB adopted the Appellate Body report and the panel report, as upheld by the Appellate Body report.

 

Compliance proceedings (second recourse by Mexico)

On 13 May 2016, Mexico requested consultations pursuant to Article 21.5 of the DSU, in connection with certain measures that according to Mexico comprise the 2016 Tuna Measure. On 9 June 2016, Mexico requested, pursuant to Article 21.5 of the DSU, the establishment of a second compliance panel. Mexico considered that the United States had not brought the dolphin safe labelling provisions into compliance with the DSB's recommendations and rulings, and that the 2016 Tuna Measure is inconsistent with the United States' obligations under the covered Agreements.

At its meeting on 22 June 2016, the DSB agreed, pursuant to Article 21.5 of the DSU, to refer to the original panel, if possible, the matter raised by Mexico. Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Ecuador, the European Union, Guatemala, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, and Norway reserved their third party rights. On 11 July 2016, the compliance panel was composed including a new Chair due to the unavailability of the Chair of the original panel.

On 18 November 2016, the Chair of the compliance panel informed the DSB that, due to the complexities of the issues in dispute, as well as the arbitration proceedings being held in this matter under Article 22.6 of the DSU, in which the panelists in these Article 21.5 proceedings are also serving, the compliance panel expected to issue its final report to the parties by mid-May 2017. On 13 April 2017, the Chair of the compliance panel informed the DSB that, due to the complexity of the issues in dispute, the compliance panel expected to issue its final report to the parties by mid-July 2017.

On 26 October 2017, the compliance panel report was circulated to Members.

Background

Both the proceedings brought by the United States and those brought by Mexico concern the 2016 Tuna Measure. The 2016 Tuna Measure specifies the conditions to be fulfilled in order for tuna products sold in the United States to be labelled “dolphin-safe” or to make similar claims on their labels. The United States requested the Panels in both Article 21.5 proceedings to find that the United States has brought itself into compliance with the DSB recommendations and rulings and that the 2016 Tuna Measure is consistent with Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement and justified under Article XX of the GATT 1994. Mexico requested that the Panels in both proceedings reject the United States' claims in their entirety and find that the 2016 Tuna Measure is inconsistent with Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement and Articles I:1 and III:4 of the GATT 1994, and cannot be justified under Article XX of the GATT 1994:

 

Panels' findings

The Panels defined their task as assessing whether the 2016 Tuna Measure was calibrated to the differences in the overall risks to dolphins arising from the use of different tuna fishing methods in different areas of the ocean. In particular, the Panels defined their task as examining whether the different elements of the 2016 Tuna Measure, namely, (a) the eligibility criteria, (b) the certification requirements, (c) the tracking and verification requirements, and (d) the determination provisions, were calibrated to the differences in the overall risks to dolphins. The Panels also underscored that in considering whether each of these elements were calibrated, they were not undertaking an “isolated consideration of each element” and that due attention would be paid to the ways in which each of these elements “interrelate with each other”.

In developing their analysis, the Panels made extensive factual findings on the risks posed to dolphins by different tuna fishing methods in different parts of the ocean– something that the Appellate Body had criticized the first compliance panel for not doing. On the basis of these factual findings, the Panels concluded that the different elements of the 2016 Tuna Measure were calibrated to the differences in the overall risk profiles of the fishing methods analysed. In addition, keeping in mind the Appellate Body's criticism in the first compliance proceedings regarding the inadequacy of conducting a segmented analysis of the various elements of the Tuna Measure, the Panels provided an overall analysis, taking into account the interlinkages among those elements. On this basis, the Panels came to the general conclusion that the 2016 Tuna Measure, as a whole, is calibrated.

 As a consequence of their conclusion that the 2016 Tuna Measure is calibrated, the Panels found that the distinctions made by the 2016 Tuna Measure between setting on dolphins and the other tuna fishing methods stem exclusively from legitimate regulatory distinctions. Consequently, they found that the Measure accords to Mexican tuna products treatment no less favourable than that accorded to like products from the United States and other countries, and is therefore consistent with the requirements set forth in Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement. The Panels also found that the 2016 Tuna Measure is justified under Article XX of the GATT 1994.

On 1 December 2017, Mexico notified the DSB of its decision to appeal certain issues of law and legal interpretations developed by the compliance panel.

On 29 January 2018, upon expiry of the 60-day period provided for in Article 17.5 of the DSU, the Appellate Body informed the DSB that it would not be able to circulate the Appellate Body report in this appeal by the end of the 60-day period, nor within the 90-day time-frame provided for in Article 17.5 of the DSU. The Appellate Body referred to the substantially enhanced workload it faced in 2018, the existence of several appeals proceeding in parallel, and the increasing overlap in the composition of the Divisions hearing the different appeals owing to the vacancies on the Appellate Body. The Appellate Body also referred to the scheduling issues arising from these circumstances, the number and complexity of the issues raised in this and concurrent appellate proceedings, together with the demands that these concurrent appeals place on the WTO Secretariat's translation services, and the shortage of staff in the Appellate Body Secretariat. The Appellate Body also informed the DSB that the circulation date of the Appellate Body report in this appeal would be communicated to the participants and third participants after the oral hearing.

Although the appeal in this dispute was initiated on 1 December 2017, due to the multiple appeals pending before the Appellate Body, the reduced number of Appellate Body Members, and the shortage of staff in the Appellate Body Secretariat, work on these appeals could gather pace only in May 2018. On 20 November 2018, the Chair of the Appellate Body informed the Chair of the DSB that the report in these proceedings would be circulated no later than 14 December 2018.

On 14 December 2018, the compliance Appellate Body report was circulated to Members.

On appeal, Mexico asserted that the Panels relied on a legal standard that failed to take into account whether the regulatory distinctions of the 2016 Tuna Measure are rationally related to its objectives, and consequently the Panels erred in their calibration analysis because they failed to consider the risks of inaccurate labelling under the 2016 Tuna Measure. Mexico also contended that the Panels erred in their application of Article 2.1 by limiting aspects of their calibration analysis to a comparison of the risk profiles of different fishing methods, by failing to properly assess the different risks to dolphins arising from the use of different fishing methods in different areas of the ocean, and by finding that the 2016 Tuna Measure is calibrated to the risks to dolphins arising from the use of different fishing methods in different areas of the ocean.

The Appellate Body found that an examination of whether the 2016 Tuna Measure is consistent with Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement entails an assessment of: (i) the overall relative risks of harm to dolphins arising from the use of different fishing methods in different ocean areas; and (ii) whether the differences in the dolphin-safe labelling conditions under the measure are appropriately tailored to, or commensurate with, those respective risks. If conducted properly, this assessment would encompass consideration of the rational relationship between the regulatory distinctions drawn by the 2016 Tuna Measure and its objectives. The Appellate Body further considered that the nature of the calibration analysis to be conducted is informed by the nature of the regulatory distinctions drawn by the measure itself, and that it is the regulatory distinctions causing the detrimental impact on imported products that must be calibrated to different risks to dolphins. The Appellate Body also found that the relevant regulatory distinctions to be examined for purposes of calibration in this dispute include the distinction between setting on dolphins and other fishing methods (in the context of the eligibility criteria) and the distinction between the ETP large purse seine fishery and all other fisheries (in the context of the certification and tracking and verification requirements).

The Appellate Body found that the Panels reviewed all relevant evidence of risks to dolphins as provided to them by the parties, and appropriately took into account all relevant types of harm to dolphins. The Appellate Body found no error in the Panels' assessment of the risks to dolphins arising from the use of different fishing methods in different ocean areas, or in their conclusions regarding the risk profiles of relevant fishing methods on the basis of that assessment. According to the Appellate Body, Mexico had not demonstrated that the Panels erred: (i) in reaching the intermediate findings that the eligibility criteria, the certification requirements, and the tracking and verification requirements are calibrated to the risks to dolphins arising from the use of different fishing methods in different areas of the ocean; or (ii) in finding that the 2016 Tuna Measure, as a whole, is calibrated to the risks to dolphins arising from the use of different fishing methods in different areas of the ocean.

Consequently, the Appellate Body upheld the Panels' conclusion that the detrimental impact caused by the 2016 Tuna Measure on Mexican tuna products stems exclusively from a legitimate regulatory distinction and therefore is consistent with Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement. Furthermore, the Appellate Body found that the Panels did not err in relying on the reasoning developed in their calibration analysis under Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement in assessing the conformity of the 2016 Tuna Measure with the chapeau of Article XX of the GATT 1994. The Appellate Body thus also upheld the Panels' conclusion that the 2016 Tuna Measure is not applied in a manner that constitutes a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination and is therefore justified under Article XX of the GATT 1994.

 

 

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