WTO to rule on Japan's green energy complaint against Canada

Switzrland: The World Trade Organization said on Wednesday it will rule on a Japanese claim that a Canadian province's renewable energy programme flouts international trade law.

"A panel was established," a spokesperson from the world trade body said, referring to a team of arbitrators. At the heart of the dispute is the government of Ontario's "feed in tariff" (FIT) programme, which guarantees electricity prices from renewable energy facilities.According to the Power Authority of Ontario website, to benefit from the programme, wind projects greater than 10 kilowatts and all solar projects must include a minimum amount of goods and services that originate from the province.

Japan claims that such support is a form of subsidy which discriminates against foreign producers, thereby violating WTO regulations, to which Canada is a party. Geneva, Thursday, AFP