EU COMMISSION BOWS TO U.S. TRADE PRESSURE WITH PROPOSAL TO FAST-TRACK APPROVAL PROCESS FOR GENETIC CROPS

13 July 2000

BRUSSELS -- The European Commission has bowed to U.S. trade threats over moratoriums on genetically modified crops with a proposal to fast track approval procedures, Greenpeace warned today.

The Commission is proposing to negotiate voluntary agreements with the biotech industry to allow faster approval of genetically modified crops until gaps in current EU legislation are rectified.

"Instead of taking measures to force the biotech industry to at least comply with existing EU laws the Commission is looking for ways to fast track the approval of currently illegal GE seed," said Greenpeace spokesperson Isabelle Meister.

Only recently it became known that multinational companies like Advanta are even ignoring existing GMO laws by selling illegal GE seeds in Europe.

"The Commission is bowing to US threats with a proposal which flies in the face of current consumer and member state concern over the regulation of genetically modified crops," said Meister.

Yesterday the Greek deputy environment minister said there is an urgent need to establish a liability regime for companies involved in the trading and production of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), to ensure they respect relevant legislation, and the right of member states to establish GE-free zones.

The Commission's proposal follows a threat by the United States government to take the EU to the World Trade Organisation over delays in approvals of genetically modified crops. On June 16 U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky in a letter to Congress member Cal Dooley (D-Ca) said the U.S. may consider a possible dispute settlement case in the WTO against the EU for its failure to approve biotechnology varieties of corn.

Greenpeace spokesperson Ceri Lewis said if the Commission proposal goes ahead it could result in fast-tracked approvals for 15 genetically modified crops which have been blocked since July 1998 for precautionary reasons by the majority of member states.

"This is a clear attempt to fast-track the approval process for the biotech industry and to facilitate trade with contaminated countries whilst ignoring the public," said Ceri Lewis EU political advisor. "Multinational companies are unlikely to respect a weak voluntary agreement especially while they are not liable for any damage cause by their products".

Greenpeace urged all Member States to support the French Presidency and Greece in their intent to maintain and strengthen the moratorium and to reject the Commissions proposal.

The EU Environment Council should take a strong political stance this weekend at the informal ministers meeting in Paris. The new GMO legislation must include:

- making companies liable for any environmental damage or contamination, - proper system of traceability, certification systems of imported seed, - a ban on seed from countries which are likely to be contaminated, - a comprehensive Novel Feed directive and the possibility of GE-free zones,

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

- Ceri Lewis, Greenpeace International, Political Advisor +32 2801400
- Isabelle Meister, Greenpeace International, Genetic Engineering Campaign +41 1 447 41 95

For more information visit our GE website:
www.greenpeace.org/~geneng