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friends of the earth international media
advisory
wednesday 2nd june
gm trade war: judges meet in secret
Three officials who will judge on the
controversial transatlantic trade dispute on
genetically modified (GM) foods will today
(Wednesday 2nd June) begin to take evidence
behind closed doors. Friends of the Earth
Europe last week delivered more than 100,000
signatures to the World Trade Organisation
(WTO) about the GM dispute, which it says the
WTO should not be dealing with as it is
“secretive, undemocratic and unfit to serve
in the interests of the general public”.
The trade dispute started last year when
the US, Canada and Argentina lodged a
complaint with the WTO about the de facto
moratorium and a number of national bans of
GM foods and crops in Europe . After failing
to reach any agreement the WTO selected three
judges who meet today to take evidence from
both sides.
The public has no right to participate in
proceedings and the judges will rule later
this year whether Europeans must accept more
GM foods or face financial penalties. An
appeal against the decision is likely with a
final ruling expected in 2005.
Last month the European Commission
approved a GM sweet corn for sale, against
the wishes of the European public and without
the support of Europe 's member states.
However the Swiss-based biotech giant
Syngenta has since stated it has no plans to
market the tinned corn, citing resistance
from the food industry.
Friends of the Earth Europe's Trade
Campaigner Alexandra Wandel said: “ Vital
decisions about the food we eat are being
made behind closed doors in a secret
location. People will today see the World
Trade Organisation for what it really is:
secretive, undemocratic and unfit to serve in
the interests of the general public.
Decisions about the food we eat should be
made in Europe and not in the White House or
the WTO.”
Contact :
Alexandra Wandel, Friends of the Earth
Europe + 49 172 748 3953 (mobile)
Pictures of Friends of the Earth's action
outside the World Trade Organisation last
week are available from
www.foei.org/media/gallery.html
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