EGYPT WITHDRAWS FROM WTO GM
COMPLAINT
US-led trade war coalition starts to
crumble
BRUSSELS, MAY 28, 2003 - Attempts by the
United States administration to force Europe
to accept Genetically Modified (GM) food and
crops received a serious blow after Egypt
announced that it would not be part of a
World Trade Organisation challenge to the
European Union’s de facto moratorium on
approving new GM licenses.
The Egyptian Government says that it has
taken its decision because it recognizes “the
need to preserve adequate and effective
consumer and environmental protection.”
On 13 May the United States said that it
would be joined by Argentina, Canada and
Egypt in filing a World Trade Organisation
(WTO) case against Europe over “its illegal
five-year moratorium on approving
agricultural biotech products” [1].
But the Egyptian Government says that it
has decided “not to become a party” to the
WTO complaint.
In a letter [2] dated May 27 the Egyptian
ambassador to the European Union wrote that
“The Government of Egypt took this decision
in conscious emulation of the need to
preserve adequate and effective consumer and
environmental protection, and with the desire
to reduce further distortions and impediments
to international trade that may result due to
the further pursuit of this matter within the
WTO”.
Europeans are concerned about the threat
that GM crops pose to food, farming and the
environment. There are also fears about the
long-term health impacts from eating GM food.
Opinion polls show that 70% of the European
public don’t want GM food and 94% want to be
able to choose whether or not they eat it
(Eurobarometer 2001).
Friends of the Earth Europe’s GM
campaigner Geert Ritsema said:
“We’re delighted that Egypt has withdrawn
from this US attempt to force GM food and
crops into Europe. Countries should be
allowed to choose what they eat and what they
grow in their fields. The United States
should withdraw its WTO challenge, and stop
trying to bully Europe over GMOs.”
Notes to editors:
1. Official US press release at
http://www.ustr.gov/releases/2003/05/03-31.pdf
2. A copy of the letter sent to the
European Consumers' Organisation (BEUC) by
the Egyptian ambassador to the European Union
is available from
Friends of the Earth
and
the BEUC.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT IN
BRUSSELS :
Friends of the Earth International, Juan
Lopez: +32-477-391496 (m)
Friends of the Earth Europe, Geert Ritseema:
+ 31-6-290 05908 (m)
European Consumers' Organisation (BEUC), Jim
Murray + 32-2- 7431591
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