Contents
Publication Date:
30 Mar 2023
Page Range:
v–viii
Keywords:
international food law; global food law; Codex Alimentarius; food regulation; international food regulation; World Trade Organization
Free access

This Advanced Introduction provides a succinct overview of the principles and rules that guide international food law. Neal D. Fortin explores how the globalisation of food supply chains has impacted international food law, making it a pressing concern for contemporary lawmakers. Exploring the maintenance of standards, rules, and laws, alongside issues in relation to economics, trade agreements, and free-trade, this comprehensive book provides insight into the future of international food law.

Keywords: international food law; global food law; Codex Alimentarius; food regulation; international food regulation; World Trade Organization

  • About the author ix

  • List of abbreviations x

  1. 1Introduction and background 1
    1. 1.1Historical overview of international food law 1
    2. 1.2Basic concepts 2
      1. 1.2.1What is International Food Law? 3
      2. 1.2.2What is Food? 4
      3. 1.2.3What are Food Laws? 5
      4. 1.2.4Functions of Food Laws 7
    3. 1.3General considerations in food laws and regulations 11
      1. 1.3.1Be Careful with Numbers 12
      2. 1.3.2Be Careful with Words 13
      3. 1.3.3Terminology Generally 15
    4. 1.4Geographic and regional variation in food safety concerns 18
      1. 1.4.1Local Concerns 18
      2. 1.4.2Local Variations on Implementation 20
  2. 2International food law at a glance 22
    1. 2.1Evolution of international food trade 22
    2. 2.2International agencies: FAO, WHO, OIE, WTO, CAC 23
    3. 2.3Overview of the international trade agreements 32
      1. 2.3.1The WTO 32
      2. 2.3.2Codex Standards as a Benchmark in Food Safety 35
    4. 2.4Additional international food safety controls 36
      1. p. vi2.4.1International Health Regulations 36
      2. 2.4.2International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) 37
    5. 2.5Conclusions 38
  3. 3The law of international food trade 40
    1. 3.1The law of international trade 40
    2. 3.2Sources of international law 42
    3. 3.3Summary of international food law 43
    4. 3.4The institution of the WTO 44
      1. 3.4.1The Function of the WTO 45
      2. 3.4.2Institutional Structure 47
    5. 3.5WTO law 52
      1. 3.5.1Basic Rules 52
      2. 3.5.2Sources of WTO Law 54
      3. 3.5.3WTO Law and International Law 55
      4. 3.5.4WTO Law and National Law 55
    6. 3.6Private standards and international trade 57
  4. 4The WTO agreements and dispute settlement 59
    1. 4.1Introduction 59
    2. 4.2Overview of the TBT Agreement 60
      1. 4.2.1The Key Rules 62
      2. 4.2.2An Example of How the TBT Agreement Works 63
    3. 4.3Overview of the SPS Agreement 66
      1. 4.3.1Basic Right and the Obligations for, Transparency, Risk Assessment (SPS Agreement, Article 2) 68
      2. 4.3.2International Standards and Harmonization (SPS Agreement, Article 3) 68
      3. 4.3.3Justification of Measures and Risk Assessment (SPS Agreement, Article 5) 68
    4. 4.4The WTO Dispute Settlement Process 70
      1. 4.4.1Overview 70
      2. 4.4.2Dueling over Science 79
      3. p. vii4.4.3Codex Standards, National Regulations, and the Food Industry 79
    5. 4.5WTO dispute enforcement 81
      1. 4.5.1SPS Dispute Example: The EC Hormones Ban 82
      2. 4.5.2TBT Dispute Example – Country of Origin Labeling 84
      3. 4.5.3TBT Dispute Example – EU Sardine Labeling 85
    6. 4.6Reflection 86
  5. 5Convergence, divergence, and complexity in global food law 88
    1. 5.1Introduction 88
    2. 5.2General techniques for comparative food law 90
      1. 5.2.1Draw Explicit Comparisons 90
      2. 5.2.2Be Wary of Quick or Broad Conclusions 94
      3. 5.2.3Be Wary of Received Wisdom 97
      4. 5.2.4Consider Differences in Risk Selection Rather Than Risk Divergence 98
      5. 5.2.5Watch Your Language! 98
      6. 5.2.6Take Account of Functional Equivalence 100
      7. 5.2.7Perception’s Impact on Implementation 104
      8. 5.2.8Have a Healthy Skepticism about Comparisons 106
    3. 5.3Political constructions in the US and EU and their impact on food safety policy 108
      1. 5.3.1The Sovereignty Difference 108
      2. 5.3.2Limitations on Implementing Policies and Law 109
      3. 5.3.3Compliance by the Member States 110
    4. 5.4The rhetoric of precaution – we need a cautionary principle about comparisons on precaution 112
    5. 5.5Implementation of risk analysis 113
    6. 5.6Conclusion 120
  6. 6Final thoughts 122
    1. 6.1Economic globalization and international trade 122
    2. 6.2Benefits and dangers of international trade 124
      1. p. viii6.2.1Reasons for Free Trade 126
      2. 6.2.2Reasons against Free Trade 127
    3. 6.3International standards and developing countries 128

  • Further reading 130

  • Index 131

Cover Advanced Introduction to International Food Law
Advanced Introduction to International Food Law
Publication Date:
30 Mar 2023
Print ISBN:
9781802208269
eISBN:
9781802208276
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4337/9781802208276
Page Count:
156
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