President Bill Clinton
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

The following conservation, environmental, animal welfare, and public interest organizations endorse the contents of this letter:

American Humane Association
Animal Legal Defense Fund
Animal Protection Institute
Animal Welfare Institute
California Turtle and Tortoise Club
Center for International Environmental Law
Center for Science in the Public Interest
Cetacean Society International
Community Nutrition Institute
Defenders of Wildlife
Earth Island Institute
Earthtrust
Environmental Solutions International
Friends of the Animals
Friends of the Earth
The Humane Society of the United States
Humane Society International
The Humane Society of Canada
International Primate Protection League
Marine Mammal Fund
Niger Delta Wetlands Centre
Public Citizen
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
Sea Turtle Preservation Society
Sea Turtle Restoration Project
Society for Animal Protective Legislation
Western Ancient Forests Campaign
Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society
World Society for the Protection of Animals


We are writing to express our alarm and dismay at the recent World Trade Organization ruling against the amendment to the Endangered Species Act that provides the only international protection for seven species of endangered sea turtles from drowning in shrimp nets. We are extremely frustrated by the utter disregard that the WTO and other trade agreements have shown for environmental considerations. From dolphin protection to cleaner gasoline, whenever trade is pitted against the environment, the environment loses. Dangerous precedents are being set.

We are asking that the Clinton/Gore Administration live up to its oft-stated commitment to international environmental leadership, especially related to the protection of endangered species. We realize that the U.S. Trade Representative attempted to defend our wildlife law in the WTO arena, but a loss is simply not acceptable. We urge you to defy the WTO ruling and show the trade body that the U.S. will not sacrifice its environmental, democratic, and social values in the name of unfettered, irresponsible trade.

We are asking the Administration to commit to the following actions:

* Appeal the WTO final ruling. The ruling sets an extremely bad precedent for how the environment can be protected under the trade agreement. The logic of the ruling makes it impossible to invoke the environmental exceptions of Article XX of the WTO. It is also important for the US to send a message to the WTO that we will not accept a ruling that is bad law and guts critical environmental protections. The WTO is living up to our worst fears by reducing environmental protection to the lowest common denominator. Years of hard work to achieve economically just environmental solutions are being demolished.

* Protect the existing law. The 1989 international turtle protection amendment to the Endangered Species Act is an effective piece of legislation that has already persuaded 17 nations to improve their fishing policies and practices in order to gain access to the U.S. market. These nations are harvesting their shrimp and making profits, while greatly reducing their impact on sea turtles and countless other non-target marine species.

* Do not capitulate and allow financial retaliation for the value of lost trade. It is our responsibility to encourage other nations to implement higher environmental standards. U.S. tax money should not be spent to line the pockets of those who refuse to act in an environmentally-responsible manner.

* Do not accept a "shipment-by-shipment" solution. This type of so-called "trade solution" will open the door to the laundering into the US of shrimp that has been caught without the use of Turtle Excluder Devices. Due to the nature of the industry, shipment-by-shipment certification is unenforceable and contradicts the intention of our law, which is to protect endangered sea turtles from drowning in shrimp nets.

* Reform the WTO substantially or withdraw from the Agreement. The WTO process is highly secretive and does not allow for public oversight or participation. Its officials are not accountable to the public. It consistently rules against environmental and social considerations. Extreme reforms are needed for the WTO to serve the interests of democracy and environmental protection. If these reforms cannot be put into place in a timely manner, we suggest that the U.S. withdraw from the WTO. We feel that the reactionary rulings of the WTO leave no other choice.

In summary, the WTO is not working for environmental protection. This ruling against the Endangered Species Act could push many populations of endangered sea turtles past the point of recovery. Hundreds of thousands of these ancient creatures could die each year in the name of "free trade." The WTO's reckless rulings on the environment are forcing us and our millions of constituents into a corner. We urge you to take action on the above points as soon as possible.

Sincerely,
Craig Van Note
Executive Vice President
MONITOR