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GM ban could be lifted, says EU
BRUSSELS, Belgium -- The European Parliament is expected to approve tough rules that could lift a ban on new genetically-modified foods, but require wider warning labels. Observers say the legislation is likely to aggravate an already bitter trade dispute between the U.S. and the EU. Wednesday's vote should finally lift a seven-year-old freeze on the introduction of new biotech products in the EU. "This is a highly sensitive subject," said Beate Gminder, spokeswoman for EU Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner David Byrne, told The Associated Press. "If the legislation is in place, then we could ask the member states to lift the moratorium," Gminder said. She added that the new legislation, which updates existing rules drawn up in 1997, would provide clear and effective guidelines meant to address lingering safety concerns by skeptical Europeans. The proposals up for vote in the 626-member EU assembly include plans to trace all genetically modified organisms or GMOs at all stages of production. They could also force producers to label their products clearly using the words: "This product is produced from GMOs." The EU imposed a moratorium on new genetically modified foods in 1998. U.S. President George W. Bush has criticized the restrictions, saying they are based on unfounded, unscientific health fears. The issue has soured EU-U.S. trade relations and led the United States, Canada and Australia to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization. U.S. farmers estimate the European restrictions have cost them nearly US$300 million a year in lost corn exports alone. Biotech crops have been widely grown in North America and Australia for years, including corn, cotton and soybeans genetically modified to resist insects or disease.
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