Germany
February 21, 2008
Source:
GMO Compass
To resolve
conflict caused by the ban on genetically modified crops in the
European Union, diplomatic discussions have begun between the
USA and the EU. The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has declared
the ban to be illegal but the practical and administrative
consequences of this ruling remain open. In the meanwhile,
European farmers’ organisations warn of falling behind.
Due to the
ban, the USA has declared lost revenue totalling millions of
dollars in Europe. Stating a wish to unlock the EU market to GM
crops, the USA requested mediation from the Dispute Settlement
Body (DSB) of the WTO. In the context of current negotiations,
arbitration has been suspended. However, American diplomats have
spoken of reopening the procedure as a possible response in case
of faulty European implementation of the WTO ruling.
While
acceptance and use of genetically modified crops are increasing
globally, European consumers historically have viewed
biotechnology with suspicion. Local marketing strategies often
reflect this attitude.
Copa-Cogeca, an umbrella organisation representing farmers
across the EU, has criticised such attitudes and spoken of
potential ruin for European agriculture. The organisation
reproves the slowness of the EU approval procedure for GMOs,
particularly in light of increased international use of such
crops and current record prices for commodities.
A recent
stalemate in the authorisation of five GM crops by the European
Council is used as an example. By law, the European Commission
now has assumed decisive responsibility for approval of the
crops, all of which are intended for use in animal feed in the
EU. Copa-Cogeca spokesman Simon Michel-Berger is quoted by the
“Financial Times” in February as stating that “...it takes two
to four years to approve a GM crop in Europe, fifteen months in
the US. We cannot compete.” Due to feed costs having risen by 50
per cent, the failure of up to twenty per cent of pig producers,
for example, may be predicted for 2008.
Inconsistency between Member States and national GMO bans also
have hindered the uniform application of the WTO ruling in the
EU. The EU stated that its executive commission is working to
lift bans imposed by Austria on MON810 maize and on T25 maize.
The commission is currently assessing scientific data provided
by Austria to support its ban and is reviewing a decision this
month by France, the EU's biggest food producer, to impose a
temporary ban on MON810.
However,
the Union has informed the WTO that seventeen applications for
the use of GMOs have been approved since 2003 and that four
approvals are expected early this year. American diplomats have
stated in response, “A handful of approvals over a nine-year
period is, unfortunately, of little significance.”
See also on GMO-Compass:
|
