US threatens public's right to choose on GM foods16 January 2002
A key World Trade Organisation (WTO) document obtained by Friends of the Earth shows that the US is putting increasing pressure on Europe to weaken its proposed laws for GM foods and crops. The document is the US's response to the WTO over EU proposals to improve the safety testing of GM foods and increase consumer choice and
information.
The US complains that the current proposals will be "more trade restrictive than necessary"; should not include animal feeds even though most GM crops are fed to farm animals and should redefine all food crops as "genetically modified". The US also wants member states to have the final say which could see the approval process being held hostage to political concerns.
A recent EU opinion poll showed that 94.6 per cent of citizens stated that they want the right to choose about GM foods.
"The Bush administration is trying to take away our right to decide on GM foods. The public has made it clear that it wants proper labelling and proper testing for GM foods. The proposed EU laws are at least a step in the right direction. The US wants to weaken these laws to protect the likes of Monsanto and American agribusiness. European countries must refuse to bow to this bullying. European citizens demand the right to choose," said Friends of the Earth Real Food Campaigner, Adrian Bebb.
In recent months the US has threatened more than six countries worldwide which are trying to implement strict GM regulations.
The US response can be found at www.foeeurope.org/press/US_official.htm
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