Trade in disservices : Environmental regulation and agricultural trade

Environmental and health regulations are increasingly being used as international trade barriers. The trend is fuelled by three factors, say the authors: the increasing use of chemicals and fertilizers, the emergence of a two-tiered international structure of environmental regulation, and the pressures for protectionism in the developed world. The biggest losers are likely to be the developing nations, prevented from selling their produce to the rich nations and/or tempted to sacrifice environmental considerations for a competitive edge. International accord on environmental and health regulations, sensitive to their economic impacts, is urgently required.