EU meets US over GM trade war

Friends of the Earth International, the world's largest environmental network, has urged the European Union to stand firm against the United State's aggressive attempt to force genetically modified (GM) foods into Europe. The two sides met on 19 June in Geneva as part of the official consultation process.

The US started proceedings against the EU's de facto moratorium through the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on 13 May 2003, along with Argentina, Canada and Egypt, and supported by nine other countries. But as the trade war reaches its first stage, Friends of the Earth pointed out that the coalition, and its arguments, are "weak and on shaky ground". This is because:

Egypt, El Salvador and Honduras will not now take part in the official WTO consultation.
Canada has distanced itself from the US, requesting a separate consultation with the EU.
Many of the countries originally supporting the US also have either bans or moratoria for GMO products, including New Zealand (moratorium on planting GMOs), Australia (regional bans), Peru (ban on GMO crops), El Salvador (ban on GMO seeds) and Mexico (ban on GM corn).
India, a big agricultural country, has also requested to take part in the consultations. India is in the process of developing.
Last week the 50th ratification of the UN Biosafety Protocol was announced, so the Treaty will enter into force in 2003.

"The US-led attempt to force-feed the world genetically modified foods appears to be losing support," said Friends of the Earth Trade Campaigner, Eve Mitchell. "The right of countries to take a precautionary approach on any new technology is fundamental to protecting people and the environment. The EU must stand firm in this dispute not only for its own sake but also for the increasing number of world citizens who are concerned about GM."

"The US administration, pushed by corporate lobby groups, resorted to the use of the undemocratic and secretive WTO in an attempt to force GM foods to the world into Europe," said Friends of the Earth International Chairperson, Ricardo Navarro. "But decisions about GM policies should not be made at the WTO or the White House."