Environment policy as restriction on trade

Trade-inhibiting environmental protection strategies

Nature

Environmental laws in developed countries have a direct or indirect influence on trade in developing countries, mainly because of certain restrictions on food imports.

Incidence

Several west European countries will no longer import fruit and vegetables showing traces of DDT or other pesticides.

Claim

Greater trading and investment opportunities for developing countries are more likely to lead to environmental benefits; the question is how and when these benefits can be realized. Some environmental measures are a form of hidden protectionism. Unilateral trade measures for environmental purposes may well achieve neither trade nor environmental objectives.

Various levels of governments and stakeholders in the economic field regard biodiversity conservation as a factor limiting economic development.