Source: Ensenada
On Monday in Geneva, Switzerland, Mexico began a new chapter in its battle against the “US dolphin safe- tuna embargoâ€, the second to last hearing before the World Trade Organization (WTO) aimed at opening markets in Europe and the United States without restrictions on Mexican tuna and the huge payment for losses and damages.
Carlos Hussong Gonzalez, VP National Chamber of Fisheries and representative of the Canainpesca tuna section, recalled that the dispute with the United States has lasted nearly 20 years, being the WTO the last entity Mexico contacted in 2009.
Mexico is claiming before the WTO, that the attitude taken by the United States’ is one of systematically refusing the entry of Mexican canned tuna into the U.S. market, despite the alleged lifting of the dolphin-safe tuna embargo.
In 2009, the Mexican government and tuna producers initiated the formal complaint with the WTO so that this process of economic controversy is resolved before the highest international court. To achieve this, the WTO rules state that three meetings must take place so that the conflicting parties can come to an agreement, Hussong said.
Although there were meetings were held in Washington and in Mexico, the two nations did not resolve the conflict and therefore the matter is being put before the WTO court so that it can decide.
This week’s hearing is part of the WTO process; it will concern a panel of 3 judges and their resolution can be appealed only once. In case of an appeal, the last hearing would take place before 5 judges and their resolution would be final.
Mexico’ position in this matter is strong and it expects a favorable outcome.