US AND CANADA CONTINUE TO OBSTRUCT PROGRESS; BIOSAFETY TALKS TIPTOE FORWARD BUT CLOSE WITHOUT RESULT

20 September 1999

Vienna -- The UN sponsored talks to set international rules on genetically engineered organisms (GMOs) closed in Vienna late Sunday night after taking some small steps forward.

"The political commitment to the Protocol by all countries was reinforced, which is vital," said Louise Gale, the head of the Greenpeace delegation in Vienna. "Given the collapse of the negotiations in Cartagena, the decision to finally agree and sign the Biosafety Protocol in January 2000 is promising. But major issues such as how the Protocol will deal with grains meant for food and feed (i.e. commodities) are still open to question," said Gale. The major grain exporting countries, the US, Canada, Argentina, Australia, Chile and Uruguay have resisted including commodities in the Protocol throughout the negotiations.

A significant development in Vienna was the firm resolve by the developing world to insist on their right to reject imports of GE commodities. The Ethiopian delegate, Dr. Egziabher, crystallised their concern on Sunday when he said that "For us the right to say no is a matter of our survival."

Grain exporters would prefer to have all GMO decisions treated as trade disputes by the World Trade Organisation (WTO). "The great majority of the countries in Vienna rejected the demands made by a small minority of six countries," said Gale. "Genetic engineering is a new and untested technology which could have irreversible effects on the environment and requires a binding international agreement to give countries the right to protect their biodiversity. It is clear that the WTO is the wrong forum for GMOs."

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

- Louise Gale, Political Advisor, Greenpeace International, 0664 4904 986
- Mika Railo, Press Officer, Greenpeace International, +31 6 212 969 08

Visit Greenpeace International's GE website for further information.