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16 september 2002
friends of the earth europe
eu should target us genetically modified
food and energy intensive products in trade
dispute
Friends of the Earth Europe today called on
EU Trade Commissioner Lamy and EU governments
to target US exported genetically modified
(GM) foods and energy intensive products in
retaliation for the US violation of World
Trade Organisation (WTO) rules on Foreign
Sales Corporations (1). This call follows the
European Commission's decision to publish
last friday an initial list of US products
that will be targeted for countermeasures
(2).
Following the WTO's authorisation to the
EU to impose countermeasures on US imported
goods, worth US$ 4,043, the Commission's
brand-new list includes a wide range of
products, including agricultural goods,
textiles, iron and steel (2). The European
Commission has asked European business to
send their comments and views on which
products 100% additional duties should be
raised.
Commenting Alexandra Wandel of Friends of
the Earth said:
'We call on Commissioner Lamy and European
governments to consider European consumer
concerns and the protection of our global
environment when targeting US products.
Genetically modified food and animal feed
products as well as energy intensive products
seems to be the obvious choice to make a move
towards fairer and more sustainable
transatlantic trade''.
Friends of the Earth believes that the EU
should ensure the right to choose GM-free
food (3). Therefore the de-facto moratorium,
which blocks new imports of GMO’s, should
remain in place until at least mandatory
labelling of all GM-food and GM-animal feed
is fully operational. According to FoEE, the
countermeasures on US imported goods form
another justification to strengthen the
moratorium. The countermeasures should target
US products such as vegetable oils which are
currently on the EU market without mandatory
labelling.
Despite consumer's concerns against GM
foods, the US has threatened legal action
under World Trade Organisation rules against
European GM legislation (4). Now that the US
administration has revealed that WTO rules
count for little, FOEE calls on the EU to
stand firm on GMOs.
EU governments should also consider
targeting specifically high energy intensive
products. The US rejection of the Kyoto
Protocol is unfair and puts European business
at a disadvantage. With Bush's increasing
rejection of international agreements that
are essential to protect our environment,
Europe should have every right to penalise US
goods for the pollution they cause.
Contacts: Alexandra Wandel, Trade and
Sustainability Coordinator, tel: 02-542 01
85
Geert Ritsema, GMO campaigner, tel: 02-542
01 81, tel: 31-6 29 00 59 08
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