[asia-apec 111] NAFTA strikes again

[henry_leveson-gower at MGDESTMX01.ERIN.GOV.AU]

     NAFTA today.....


______________________________ Forward Header __________________________________
Subject: NAFTA strikes again
Author:  blairs at igc.org at mgdestmx01
Date:    12/9/96 8:26 PM


WSJ, 9/11/96, p. A10: "Ethyl Acts to Avert Losses If Canada Bans Fuel
Additive."

"Ethyl Corp. announced a US$201 million damage action against the Canadian
government to recover estimated losses from a proposed Canadian ban of an
octane-boosting fuel additive produced by the Richmond, VA., company.

...

"Ethyl served notice with the Canadian government yesterday that it intends
to make its claim against Canada under a seldom-used arbitration provision
of the North American Free Trade Agreement.... The NAFTA Provision allows a
company to bring before an arbitration panel claims against NAFTA
governments for alleged violations of their obligations toward investors.
[!!!]

...

"A spokesman for Canadian Environment Minister Sergio Marchi said the
government intends to proceed with legislation to stop the sale of MMT
[methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl] in Canada, because of
lingering health concerns about the product and because of the auto
industry's warnings that the aditive would hamper the operation of auto
computer systems which monitor tailpipe emissions. The government's
legislation is expected to be approved by Parliament...."


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Under NAFTA, governments have obligations to investors, but not to
environment or public health.

Blair




Blair Sandler
blairs at igc.org