We are deeply concerned that the USTR's muted response to this alarming decision sends the American public a clear message that the Administration plans to continue ignoring the gravity of the current conflict between trade rules and environmental policies. Therefore we call upon your Administration to take the following concrete steps to demonstrate to the American people your commitment to resolving the tension between trade and environment priorities. The Administration must communicate immediately that turtle conservation is an important component of U.S. environment and trade policy. In defense of that principle, the United States should appeal the panel decision. We do not mean to suggest that U.S. law should always remain stagnant.
Few laws are immune to potential improvement.
Due to the nature of the industry, the certification of individual shrimp shipments cannot be verified, and will not adequately protect sea turtles. Such a solution will also not immunize U.S. law from future WTO challenges. In order to ensure that sea turtles and their habitats are properly protected, it is imperative that the Administration push for the ratification and implementation of the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles and continue negotiations to secure worldwide agreements and other measures to protect sea turtles. The Administration must use this panel decision and the upcoming WTO Ministerial Meeting to address the longstanding conflict between existing trade rules and environmental goals. As its primary goal for the May meeting, we urge the United States to gain consensus for an agenda and timetable to review WTO rules and procedures so that they better address trade and environment priorities, integrate democratic principles of openness and due process, and support, rather than undermine, sustainable use.