Bridges Trade BioRes • Volume 2 • Number 1 • 24th January 2002
Croatia Likely To Ban GMO Food Despite US Opposition
Croatia Likely To Ban GMO Food Despite US Opposition
The drafting of legislation banning production and limiting imports of genetically modified food by Croatia’s environment ministry has prompted staunch opposition from the US. In a letter published in Croatian newspapers earlier this month, the US threatened to take action at the WTO if Croatia proceeded to outlaw genetically engineered food. According to Croatian Environment Minister Bozo Kovacevic, Croatia is using the GMO ban to maintain a comparative advantage by enhancing organic farm production and offering only GMO-free products to consumers. Kovacevic also referred to Croatia’s wish to follow the legislation of the EU, where it is currently seeking membership. EU countries have imposed a moratorium on imports of GMOs, tolerating only up to one percent level of GMOs in products. "We will definitely ban production, but may allow imports of food containing a small percentage of genetically manipulated ingredients," Kovacevic said on 14 January. He also referred to the right of every WTO Member to unilaterally ban certain products for "domestic reasons" despite the fact that there might not be scientific evidence showing whether they are harmful or not.
"Croatia set to ban GM food production", World Environment News, 15 January, 2002; "US Canadian Activists Back Croatia’s Bid To Ban GMO Food", Associated Press, 14 January, 2002.