Egypt Withdraws From WTO Complaint Against EU Biotech Moratorium
Egypt will not join the US’ WTO challenge of the EU’s de facto moratorium on the approval of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), according to a letter by Egypt’s EU Ambassador to the European Consumers’ Organization. The US in its consultation request to the EU had listed Egypt along with Canada and Argentina as countries that were planning to also submit requests (see BRIDGES Trade BioRes, 15 May 2003). “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,” the letter stated.
As one trade source noted, Egypt had no reason to join in the challenge since the country was a net food importer and did not have a significant export interest in GMOs. The source also referred to past consultations between Egypt and Thailand over Egypt’s ban of Thai canned tuna due to concerns that the fish might be canned in GM soy oil. A US trade spokesperson, however, noted that Egypt had not given any indication to the US that it would withdraw from the case.
European Environment Committee Favours Tighter GMO Rules
The European Parliament’s Environment Committee on 22 May voted to further tighten the labelling and traceability legislation for GM food and feed. The Committee agreed to lower the minimum threshold below which GMOs would be exempted from labelling requirements from 0.9 to 0.5 percent. The Committee also voted in favour of legally binding rules to regulate the co-existence of genetically modified, conventional and organic crops.
European industry groups expressed concerns that these amendments, if adopted by the European Parliament in the second reading of the legislation in July, could hold up their adoption and further delay the lifting of the de facto moratorium on approvals. Criticism of the decision were also heard from the European Commission. “The Parliament has snubbed the US,” said Commission spokeswoman Beate Gminder, referring to the recent US request for WTO consultations on the moratorium (see BRIDGES Weekly, 13 May 2003). The Commission noted that co-existence was already being addressed as a separate issue and should not be added to the labelling bill (see BRIDGES Trade BioRes, 10 March 2003). The environmental group Friends of the Earth welcomed the Committee’s decision, which they said “paves the way for better consumer choice and action to protect non-GMO and organic farmers from genetic contamination”.
China Extends Interim Biotech Rules
The Chinese government has extended the interim arrangements for the approval of GM imports — due to expire on 20 September — until April 2004. This is the third time that the interim rules have been extended following protests from soy exporting countries (see BRIDGES Trade BioRes, 11 December 2002). During the transition period, imports will still be required to obtain preliminary safety approvals, which will be granted within 30 days. The most recent extension, however, has not yet been officially announced and Chinese traders are reluctant to commit to importing soybeans at this stage. “We are worried they might do something to disrupt soybean trade such as issuing the [official announcement of the extension] at the last minute and not giving us enough time to apply for the papers for soy shipments in August,” one trader noted.
ICTSD reporting; “Egypt to drop backing for US GMO case vs EU,” REUTERS, 30 may 2003; “EU lawmakers move to toughen GMO rules,” REUTERS, 24 May 2003; “European Environment Committee votes for stronger GMO laws,” FOEE, 22 May 2003; “China to extend GMO measure, market awaits papers,” REUTERS, 30 May 2003.