EU: Europe's Biotech-Seed Rules Ruled Illegal by WTO, U.S. Says

[Judi Lynn]

EU: Europe's Biotech-Seed Rules Ruled Illegal by WTO, U.S. Says
by Warren Giles and Mark Drajem, Bloomberg
February 8th, 2006

The World Trade Organization ruled that the European Union unfairly blocked imports of genetically engineered crops, U.S. trade officials said, setting a precedent that may force other nations to drop their restrictions.

In the first of decision its kind, the WTO sided with the U.S., Canada and Argentina, saying the EU discriminated against imports of biotech seeds from companies such as Monsanto Co. without adequate scientific evidence of their harm, according to people familiar with the case. The ruling is still confidential.

``Agricultural biotechnology products should be provided a timely, transparent and scientific review'' by the EU, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman said in a statement late yesterday.

European governments such as Germany and France, as well as activists such as Greenpeace International, have sought to curb the use of seeds genetically altered to resist pests, disease and drought, claiming that the modified crops threaten human health and the environment. The U.S. insists that biotech seeds are safe and shouldn't be distinguished from conventional seeds.
(snip/...)

http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=13244

[bobbieinok]

1. heard this on NPR...big reason WTO should NOT have power to

overrule laws of individual countries

[sasha031]

2. the WTA isn't worth the paper it is written on

I was in the UK when Monsanto was trying to force their toxic seeds down the Europeans throat. The same Monsanto that brought us agent orange.
The seeds create super weeds therefore and it's pollen infects everything in its path.
The European Union tried to get all information from the company,it wouldn't comply.Amazing these disgusting corps will do anything to win.

there were several excellent pieces on it in the Independent, but that was 2yrs ago. It's a mess.
Kudos to Europe for telling them to go to hell.

[Ben Ceremos]

3. Here in the Netherlands

we will hunt them down, pull them out by the roots, burn them if we must. The WTO is quite wrong. GM foods are a danger to the food production system and will hurt agriculture and the ecosystem as well. This much has already been established by trials.