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(…) [9] Certain Members have put forward a proposal for "modalities" in the negotiations on geographical indications and the disclosure of the origin of genetic resources and traditional knowledge used in inventions. The proposal is contained in document TN/C/W/52, 19 July 2008.

A fuel subsidy (fisheries fuel concession scheme) was introduced in 2000 to support the development of fisheries as a strategic industry (Table 4.2). Licenced fishers are thus exempted from the payment of excise taxes on motor fuels. The fuel concession is granted with respect to locally registered vessels, including foreign vessels registered in Tonga, as well as foreign fishing vessels that unload 50% of their catch in Tonga. The scheme is implemented by the Fuel Concession Committee of the Fisheries Department, which issues refuel certificates.

Tonga has no national standardization body or dedicated national legislation for the adoption of standards or technical regulations. Although the Public Health Act No. 19 of 2008 contains certain provisions authorizing the Minister for Health to define requirements, e.g. for food, motor vehicles (emission standards), and septic tanks, these provisions have so far not been used to establish any specific standards or technical regulations. (…)

(…) Notably, importation of narcotics is restricted under the Illicit Drugs Control Act 2003, and trade in endangered species is regulated by several legal instruments, including the Environment Management Act 2010.

The Government has formulated a Private Sector Development Strategy (PSDS), which seeks to create a vibrant private sector in partnership with Government for inclusive growth and sustainable development. Its purpose is to foster national development by maximizing impact of private sector activities. (…)

Private sector development is a priority area identified in the 2013/14 Budget Statement. Specific activities to be undertaken include:
• Strengthening government-private sector dialogue to address constraints to growth;
• Reviewing operations under the Agriculture and Fisheries Sector Plans;
• Improving management of marine resources to ensure that they provide sustainable long term development;
(…)

Tonga is one of the eight founding members of the Polynesian Leaders Group, a regional grouping intended to cooperate on a variety of issues including culture and language, education, responses to climate change, and trade and investment.

Although it is difficult to establish an exhaustive inventory of non-tariff measures applied by Tonga, trade restrictions appear to be motivated by the need to protect human, animal or plant life or health; public morals; national security; cultural heritage; the conservation of exhaustible natural resources; and to uphold intellectual property rights. Tonga does not levy export taxes on any goods.

Several changes relating to agricultural and food produce and GMOs/LMOs were made in this area during the review period. Several amendments were made to the Food Regulations 1985 related to labelling and packaging. These amendments involved: the labelling of food and food ingredients obtained through modern biotechnology; (…)

MOH regulations containing mandatory labelling requirements (including the origin of the modified gene) for food and food ingredients obtained through modern biotechnology (GMOs/LMOs) were issued on 8 July 2010 through amendments to the Food Regulations under the Food Act 1983. (…)The labelling requirement will not apply to meat reared on feed containing GMOs.