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A WTO dispute panel has upheld a French ban on imports of building products from Canada containing the carcinogen asbestos, in a decision that could potentially help reduce opposition to the World Trade Organization among environmental groups. Though the decision has not been officially published yet, it has been released to France and Canada this week. This marks the first time that a WTO case's ruling has explicitly prioritized issues such as environmental protection above free trade, which is bad news for Canada as it produces most of the world's asbestos.
Thursday, 27 July, 2000