Honduras backs up WTO claim on pesticide regulation

By Bufete Mejía & Asociados

On July 4, 2019, 16 countries submitted a statement to the World Trade Organization (WTO) concerned over the European Union’s trade measure that regulates pesticides. The 16 WTO members complained that the EU was diverging from international standards and science-based risk assessments.

Bananas, wheat, coffee, papaya, grapes, tree nuts, coconut, sweet potatoes, mangoes and palm oil were among the products members said are being affected by the EU's lowering of pesticide residue tolerances and divergence from science-based standards. Members were also concerned that the EU was not providing sufficient transitional periods for producers to adapt to the new regulations.

The claim was presented by Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the United States and Uruguay. It was heard at the 8-9 July meeting of the Goods Council, where the countries called on the EU to reconsider its stricter approach to regulating pesticides and other safe tools and technologies farmers use on crops to manage pests and diseases.