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Biotech Panel Calls On EU To Conform With WTO Rules	A WTO dispute panel has confirmed its initial finding against the EU's application of its approval process for genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The panel's final report, made public on 29 September, largely reiterated its February interim ruling on the complaint brought by the US, Argentina and Canada against EU-wide and national moratoria on the approval of new biotech products (see Bridges Weekly, 8 February). The parties to the dispute have so far left it open whether they would appeal the ruling. more
Debate Rages Over Benefits and Drawbacks of Biofuels	The role of biofuels in helping solve a range of problems -- including climate change and overproduction of agricultural products -- has been heating up. Biofuels were debated at the annual WTO Public Forum -- held on 25-26 September this year -- with UN Foundation chair and media mogul Ted Turner championing these fuels as a way out of the Doha round deadlock. However, several other commentators have urged caution and sought to shed light on the potential problems associated with biofuels. more

In Brief

EU and Malaysia To Combat Illegal Timber Trade Codex: When Is a Sardine a Sardine? Developing Countries Press For Speedier WIPO Talks On GR,TK How To Integrate Biodiversity Considerations Into Development Cooperation Caribbean Ministers Call For Doha Revival, Raise Climate Concerns New Seed Monitoring Centre in Nairobi Sustainability Impacts Of Horticulture Trade In Africa Examined New Hope for Responsible Soy Production

Events    &   Resources
Events	12-13 October, Geneva, Switzerland: DELIVERING ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN ENVIRONMENTAL GOODS AND SERVICES NEGOTIATIONS: AN ICTSD INFORMAL ROUNDTABLE. The roundtable will address important and persistent knowledge gaps on issues of concern to EGS negotiators and to explore possibilities for reconciling divergent negotiating approaches. Building on knowledge generated through commissioned research and a series of regional dialogues held in Asia and Latin America through which issues in the negotiations and EGS sectors of key concern and interest to the various regions were articulated, this roundtable will seek to spell out options for a negotiating strategy on environmental goods and services. For further information, contact Mahesh Sugathan, tel: +41 22 9178 351, fax: +41 22 9178 093, email: smahesh@ictsd.ch.
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Resources	IMPACTS OF CHANGES IN KEY EU POLICIES ON TRADE AND PRODUCTION DISPLACEMENT OF SUGAR AND SOY. By Annie Dufey, David Baldock & Martin Farmer, WWF, September 2006. This study identifies the major foreseeable environmental impacts of prospective changes in some key EU policies on the global production and trade of agricultural products, particularly sugar and soy. It examines potential ways to influence the expected displaced production in order to reduce the anticipated accompanying environmental impacts, in particular those related to freshwater and forest conservation, taking an eco-region approach. The paper concentrates on the main probable changes in production and trade patterns in developing countries, with a special focus on Brazil.
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ISSN 1682-0843