RE: greenyes-d Digest V99 #346

FULLER Brian (FULLER.Brian@deq.state.or.us)
Tue, 16 Nov 1999 08:57:56 -0800


Subject: Re: FSC-certified paper

As I understand it, the World Trade Organization (WTO) is proposing to "end
discrimination of Production and Processing Methods" at their upcoming
ministerial in Seattle (11/29 - 12/03). Part of this agreement would make
environmental labeling, such as the FSC certification, a non tariff barrier
to trade, in effect illegal. To the WTO a piece of paper is a piece of
paper. Any distinguishing of it as to what it is made from and how could be
considered a trade barrier. I fully support the consumers right to know
about the products we consume, but fear that the WTO is attempting and end
round run to eliminate this. Any thoughts on this?

Brian Fuller
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Solid Waste Program
(541) 686-7838 Ext. 225
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http://www.deq.state.or.us/wmc/solwaste/rsw.htm