GENEVA — The popular "dolphin-safe" labels used to market tuna sold in the U.S. are illegal because they restrict too much trade, a World Trade Organization panel ruled Thursday in handing a partial victory to Mexico.
The WTO panel concluded the labels authorized by the U.S. Commerce Department "are more trade-restrictive than necessary to achieve a legitimate objective" of letting consumers know whether dolphins were accidentally harmed in tuna fishing.
It said the labels protect dolphins in U.S. waters but "only partially fulfill" that goal elsewhere. But the panel rejected Mexico's claim its tuna products are treated differently than those of the U.S. or other nations.
"The WTO ruling is a crushing blow to the label 'dolphin-safe' and opens the way for Mexican producers to enter the U.S. market without restrictions, as is their right," Mexican Economy Secretary Bruno Ferrari said.
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