What is the relationship between the Protocol and the WTO?
The commercialization of biotechnology has spawned multi-billion-dollar industries for foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals that continue to grow at a dramatic pace. Under World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations, the regulation of trade must be based on “sound scientific knowledge”. Under environmental regimes, the precautionary approach is seen as an indispensable component of sustainable development. The WTO is also less inclined to take into account socio-economic concerns, such as the risk that exports of genetically engineered crops may replace traditional ones and undermine local cultures and traditions in importing countries; however, under the Protocol these socio-economic considerations may be taken into account in reaching a decision on import of an LMO as long as they arise from the impact of that LMO on the conservation and sustainable use of the biological diversity. The subsidiary agreements of the WTO, including the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement (SPS), Technical Barr
