www.checkbiotech.org ; www.raupp.info ; www.czu.cz

A WTO ruling on GM crop imports is set to increase the pressure on Brussels
to review its complex approvals procedures, January 2006.

After a series of delays, a preliminary decision by the Geneva based WTO
arbitration panel is expected to be announced on February 1.

The challenge was brought in 2003 by the US, Canada and Argentina, who
complained that the EU was blocking the import and cultivation of GM crops.

US officials believe the EU?s laissez faire approach effectively masks trade
barriers that protect European farmers from cheaper imports.

Washington argues that their producers are losing out to the tune of several
hundred million dollars each year.

The US is confident of a successful result next week, but European
commission sources say any victory will be hollow, as the EU has already
lifted a self imposed GM import moratorium in 2004 and now has a clear set
of GM crop approvals procedures.

?We have legislation in place; approval procedures are working and we?re not
going to change that,? a commission source told EUpolitix.

?Our scientific assessment and approvals system is in place now, it works
well, and we have seen that recently, with more GM products being approved.?

But the rosy picture painted by the commission can?t hide the deep divisions
on GM across EU capitals.

Current EU presidency holders Austria head a group of member states
including Greece and Luxembourg that vehemently oppose GM crops.

Division in the EU council of ministers effectively blocks any agreement by
national governments whenever a GM product comes up for review.

This leaves the commission, through a complex default procedure to ?rubber
stamp? authorisations on the member states' behalf.

Only a handful of GM authorisations have been approved, adding to US
sentiment that Europe is dragging its feet.

Earlier this month, EU diplomats warned that pressure was building on the
commission to overhaul the faltering approvals system.

The Austrians have made GM one of their top political priorities during
their six month presidency stint.

A presidency organised conference in April, looking at the coexistence of GM
and conventional crops, could set the stage for a much more substantial EU
debate on GM if the US is successful in the preliminary WTO ruling.

[www.eupolitix.com]

------------------------------------------
Posted to Phorum via PhorumMail