Environmental, health and sanitary requirements in developed countries are sometimes perceived in developing countries as non-tariff barriers to trade. This book shows that such restrictions are perceived to be more stringent during the domestic production season or when stock levels are high. The authors argue that scientific data for specific thresholds or limit values sometimes appear to be questionable and that they vary widely between countries. In some cases, products that had initially been refused access to a domestic market have subsequently been allowed access but at a lower price. Thus standards are perceived to be a mechanism for bidding down the export price. Countries from the same region with similar water or climatic conditions may be subject to differential degrees of Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures (SPS). Measures to address protectionist aspects of standards must be devised to ensure free and fair trade.The contributors to this book show that there are good reasons for suspecting that these standards could indeed be protectionist. Utilising a wealth of empirical evidence, the book includes case studies written by authors based in the regions and does not fail to address awkward issues such as 'whose standards?', 'why standards?' and whether cartelisation is the consequence of standards. The contributors also address the political economy of standard setting, not simply the technical process, north-south issues and the political economy of organic food markets. Environmental Regulation and Food Safety will appeal to policymakers and NGOs, researchers and scholars of international and development economics as well as industry strategists. Copublished with Canada's International Development Research Centre.

Eco-labelling is an increasingly popular way of meeting consumer's demands for environmental information about the products they purchase. The first book on this important subject collects contributions from the academic, policy-making and commercial spheres to look at the conceptual and practical issues, and to discuss how eco-labelling can be made effective and equitable, and must avoid distorting international trade to the detriment of developing countries.

Trade, Environment and Sustainable Development explores the linkages between the objectives of liberalised international trade, protection of the environment and sustainable development. It is an anthology of essays by leading experts, key government officials and political leaders from the South Asian region, supported by officials of the OECD, UNCTAD and non-governmental organisations. Trade, Environment and Sustainable Development outlines the concerns of the developing nations of the South Asian region about the impacts on their trade and development from the environmental policies of the North. A range of country case and sector studies are presented, along with analysis of key regional issues.

The link between trade and the environment has focused on two broad issues: how changing trade regimes have affected the environment and how stricter environmental regulations have affected trade. The answers are of particular importance to developing and transition countries where the relationship between trade and the environment has a major impact. This unique book, based on eleven case studies undertaken by research institutes in developing countries with the support of UNCTAD and UNDP, provides detailed empirical evidence from Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Malaysia, The Philippines, Poland, Thailand, Turkey and Zimbabwe. The central questions addressed are: * has the international programme of trade liberalization affected the environment negatively? * are stricter environmental regulations in both developed and developing countries having an effect on exports and imports and how can these effects be addressed? * what impacts, if any, result from differences in environmental standards between richer and poorer countries? * what impacts have multilateral environmental agreements had on trade flows between developed and developing countries * what impacts are firms' voluntary measures to protect the environment having on the export flows from developing and transition countries? The book provides a wealth of information and shows a wide difference of outcomes from country to country, allowing the authors to draw an interesting set of conclusions. It will be useful for students and researchers in environmental and international economics and will be essential reading for policymakers in government and non-governmental organizations.

Trade, Environment and Sustainable Development explores the linkages between the objectives of liberalised international trade, protection of the environment and sustainable development. It is an anthology of essays by leading experts, key government officials and political leaders from the South Asian region, supported by officials of the OECD, UNCTAD and non-governmental organisations. Trade, Environment and Sustainable Development outlines the concerns of the developing nations of the South Asian region about the impacts on their trade and development from the environmental policies of the North. A range of country case and sector studies are presented, along with analysis of key regional issues.