Associated Press | July 1, 2003
BRUSSELS, Belgium - European Union officials urged lawmakers Tuesday to approve regulations on genetically modified foods that could end an EU ban on new biotech products, but keep labels that the United States says could make the foods impossible to sell.
The European Parliament is due to vote Wednesday on laws to allow biotech imports only if genetically engineered products are clearly identified as such for consumers.
The new rules are designed to replace the EU's seven-year freeze on the introduction of new biotech foods, which has been much criticized by the United States. Washington is still unhappy, however, with the labeling proposals - saying they will be costly for U.S. exporters and are unnecessary since the foods present no health risks.
During a debate at the EU assembly in Strasbourg, France, senior European officials criticized U.S. interference in the debate, particularly comments from President Bush last week claiming the EU's stance was worsening famine in Africa.
"I completely and totally reject the proposition of linking the GMO debate to famine in Africa," said Pat Cox, president of the European Parliament. He added that Europe did "not need to be lectured" by the United States on its policies.
The EU's top consumer protection official urged the parliament to pass the new proposals or risk a trade war with the United States. EU Health Commissioner David Byrne insisted the proposals would allow the public to make their own choices about eating biotech foods, which are regarded by suspicion by many in Europe.
"The proposal provides consumers with what they so overwhelmingly demand, an indication of whether or not ... food ingredients are produced from GMOs," Byrne said.
Parliament members were skeptical about the benefits of genetically modified crops.
"There is a strong sense that the United States is pushing too hard and too fast to serve narrow commercial interests," said British Liberal Democrat Chris Davies. "There are no certain gains to be made from growing GM crops in Europe."
The rules, if passed, would trace genetically modified organisms at all stages of production and force producers to label their products clearly using the words, "This product is produced from GMOs."
Under the current proposal - which has the support of EU governments - products containing more than 0.9 percent of biotech material would have to be labeled. The parliament is expected to make that even tougher, lowing the threshold to 0.5 percent.
Biotech crops, including corn, cotton and soybeans genetically modified to resist insects or disease, have been widely grown in North America and Australia for years.
The EU imposed its moratorium on new genetically modified foods in 1998, responding to mounting fears of European consumers about possible health risks.
Backed by Canada and Australia, the United States filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization last month to force Europe to lift the moratorium, arguing it is an unfair trade barrier. U.S. farmers estimate the European restrictions have cost them nearly $300 million a year in lost corn exports alone.Associated Press:
