The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Can a precautionary approach to biotechnology be squared with liberal trade in agriculture! This question has been running both through the transatlan tic trade conflicts over the regulation and labelling of genetically modifi ed organisms and the negotiations of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, w hich was finally adopted in January 2000. This article provides an overview and a tentative analysis of the new environmental treaty and its relations hip with WTO law.