AFX European Focus | December 8, 2003
An EU panel of experts has rejected an application to import Syngenta AG's 'Bt-11' genetically modified (GM) sweetcorn, effectively postponing a decision on whether to lift a ban on biotech crops, the European Commission said.
Beate Gminder, spokeswoman for European Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner David Byrne, said a majority 'yes' vote was then not reached after the decision was referred to the Council of Ministers. Only six countries -- Spain, Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands, Sweden and Finland -- backed approval for the GM corn. Germany, Belgium and Italy abstained from the vote and the approval was rejected by the six remaining members -- France, Austria, Luxembourg, Denmark, Portugal and Greece.
The EU had already delayed the vote last month, after a number of EU countries sought "clarification" before taking the decision.
The commission had proposed allowing the import of Bt-11.
Approval would have signified the lifting of a de facto moratorium on GM foods observed since 1999, a key issue in the ongoing trade dispute between the EU and the US.
The US has applied to the World Trade Organisation to secure a condemnation of the EU's position.
The authorisation request for Bt-11 will be handed back to the European Commission, which will issue its final decision within three months.AFX European Focus:
