WTO有關食品議題法律下強化對消費者關切之考量

Abstract

因以製造商為中心的WTO架構所造成的失衡問題近期來受到許多關注。當WTO限制其會員國去回應消費者關切的主權時，費者權益便生受影響。在與食品相關的議題當中，尤其有關消費者對於食品安全以及食品品質的關切，此問題更為明顯。 從結果來看，在與食品有關的案件當中，許多WTO的爭端解決結果迫使國內消費者接受他們所不願意接受的食品。 觀看消費者在貿易所扮演的重要角色，消費者關切以及權益實在不應該受到忽略。為了能保持WTO在全球社會眼中的正當性以及課則姓，WTO勢必有去回應並考量消費者關切的必要。 以此想法為出發點，本論文將深入研究現有的WTO架構，並以有關食品議題法律為中心，指出含有潛在貿易以及消費者利益衝突的方面，並探討WTO強化對消費者關切之考量之可能性。

Concerns have expressed regarding the possible imbalances caused by WTO’s producer-oriented framework. In particular, consumer interest is one of the aspects which is deeply affected when WTO limits Member’s sovereignty to respond to consumer’s concerns. The issues become more apparent in food related issues, including concerns regarding food safety and food quality issues. Looking from the result, many of the WTO decisions in food-related cases force consumer in countries to accept unwanted food products. Measures addressing consumer concerns in food-related issues face some restrictions due to decisions under WTO law. Considering the importance of consumer in trade, consumer’s concerns and interest cannot be simply ignored. In order for WTO to maintain its legitimacy and accountability in global society, it is necessary for the WTO to be able to address and take into account consumer’s concerns. This paper will look into aspects within current WTO framework which contain potential conflicts between trade and consumer interest by focusing on food related-issues. Afterwards, this paper will discuss about the possibilities to enhance WTO’s consideration for consumer concerns in those issues.