This book investigates the legal framework and practical application of the WTO Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) to determine how international trade rules balance commercial interests with public health protections. Joanne Scott, a recognized scholar in international economic law, provides a rigorous analysis of the agreement's articles, drawing upon extensive case law and the institutional history of the SPS Committee to clarify how scientific evidence functions as a prerequisite for trade barriers.

Legal scholars and practitioners frequently cite this work as a foundational reference for understanding the intersection of trade law and food safety regulation. Readers often note the high level of academic density and the precise, technical nature of the prose, which makes it an essential resource for those specializing in WTO dispute settlement.