(Winesandvines) - U.S. trade official requests WTO intercede in dispute concerning wines sold in grocery store

Victoria, British Columbia—The threat of World Trade Organization (WTO) intervention shows that three years of criticism and even a change in government has failed to dampen British Columbia’s resolve in allowing only its own wine to be sold on grocery store shelves.

 U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer made good on those threats May 25 with a formal request to the WTO for a dispute settlement panel after formal complaints and consultations with Canada last year failed to resolve the issue.

 “Discriminatory regulations implemented by British Columbia are unfairly keeping U.S. wine off of grocery store shelves, and that is unacceptable,” Lighthizer said in announcing the request. “Canada and all Canadian provinces, including B.C., must play by the rules.