Zimbabwe Rejects Non-GMO Certified US Maize In Aid Shipment
As part an attempt to ease the food crisis currently underway in the Southern African region, a shipment of 8,500 tonnes of US maize was delivered to Zimbabwe last week, after a shipment of 10,000 tonnes earlier in the month was rejected because it could not be certified as GMO-free. A senior Zimbabwean agricultural official noted that it is standard procedure for their government to turn down food imports or donations that cannot be certified free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). As a result, the maize shipment was re-directed to Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. According to the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), 19 countries in the Southern African region are facing "exceptional food emergencies" for reasons ranging from civil strife, drought, excessive rain, and population displacement. Zimbabwe has been amongst the countries worst affected by the shortages that date back to April of this year (see BRIDGES Weekly, 28 May 2002). According to the US Embassy in Harare, the latest aid had brought the total US contribution to Zimbabwe during the food crisis to 42,930 tonnes, worth $US27.5 million.
"Food Crises Threatens Southern Africa," THE INSIDER (Harare), 30 April 2002; "Zimbabwe Rejects U.S. food Aid Consignment," REUTERS, 1 June 2002.
Canadian Government Under Fire by NAFTA Tribunal over Pope & Talbot Case
In a judgement released on 31 May, a North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) tribunal awarded $US 708,000 in damages to US-based lumber firm Pope & Talbot Inc. The tribunal said that the softwood lumber division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) used "threats and misrepresentations," including "serious misinterpretations of fact in memoranda to the minister" and even "suggestions of criminal investigation" after Pope and Talbot filed its claim. The tribunal also cited delays it had in obtaining relevant information from the government. The award was far lower than the $US 508 million Pope & Talbot was seeking in the case, however the panel found that the firm did not suffer any loss of profit owing the Canadian Government’s action, which the company contended resulted in a three-day shutdown of its operation. Under the 1996 Canada- US Softwood Lumber Agreement, Canada agreed to cap its exports of lumber to the US. The expiry of the Agreement last year resulted in the most recent dispute. In April 2001, a similar tribunal ruled that while Canada had met its national treatment obligations (article 1102) under of NAFTA’s Chapter 11, it had violated Pope & Talbot’s right to a minimum standard of treatment (article 1105). (see BRIDGES Weekly, 11 July 2000)
"Private Rights, Public Problems: A Guide To NAFTA’s Controversial Chapter On Investor Rights", IISD and WWF, 2001; "NAFTA Tribunal Blasts Ottawa For Behaviour, Considers Treatment Of P&T Shocking And Outrageous," FINANCIAL POST, 1 June 2002; "NAFTA Tribunal Awards Minimal Damages To Pope And Talbot," DFAIT, 31 May 2002.
European Environment Committee Votes to Tighten Laws On GM Food
The European Parliament’s environment committee voted on 4 June to toughen draft EU rules ensuring clear labelling of genetically modified (GM) food and animal feed and proposed rules to ensure they are kept separate from non-GM varieties. The committee endorsed the labelling plan, proposed by the EC last July, even if processing had destroyed any trace of genetic modification. It also voted to extend this requirement to meat, eggs and milk from animals fed GM-feed and downgraded a proposal to allow up to one percent of unauthorised GM strains in non-GM products (now proposing a 0.5 percent maximum). In July 2002, the entire European Parliament will vote on the GMO labelling issue. Environmental non-governmental organisation, Friends of the Earth Europe, said "[the committee's decision] was a vote for common sense, it’s very good for consumers and the environment." The Bill’s approval could pave the way for the introduction of scores of new GM crops into the EU. The 15-country bloc has not issued a single new GM permit since 1999 when a large minority of member states vowed to stall approvals pending the new regulations.
"Euro MPs Vote For Tougher Rules On GM Food Labels," REUTERS, 4 June 2002; "EP’s Environment Committee Votes For Labelling Of GMO’S," FOEE PRESS RELEASE, 4 June 2002.
Focus on Sustainable Development At Indigenous Peoples Forum
On 16 May, the UN Economic and Social Council’s Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues began its first annual two-week meeting at UN headquarters in New York. The event brought together more than 900 indigenous leaders with representatives from government, inter- governmental agencies and civil society. The agenda was left open such that participants could have their own voice on the issues. Delegates called for a greater indigenous peoples’ voice on critical issues such as health, education, economic and social development, environment, security and respect for human rights. UN Deputy Secretary General Louise Frechette pointed out that there were "no universal standards on the rights of indigenous peoples as such", but added that the Commission on Human Rights was considering a draft declaration that would "complement existing international human rights instruments." One representative of an indigenous organisation recommended the forum take the opportunity at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, due to begin in August in Johannesburg, to voice their concerns and address the links between indigenous peoples and sustainable development. The forum is composed of eight government representatives from Canada, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Guatemala, Japan, Mexico, Russia and an as-yet named government representative from Asia. The forum also includes eight indigenous experts from Canada, Colombia, Nepal, Norway, Russia, Peru, Togo and the US. The forum was created by the UN Economic and Social Council in July 2000.
"Indigenous Peoples: U.N. Forum Meets For First Time," UNWIRE, 13 May 2002; "Indigenous Peoples: New U.N. Forum Seeks To Promote Collective Rights,", UNWIRE, 14 May 2002; "INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: Forum Hears Calls For Expansion Of U.N. Activities," UN PRESS RELEASE, 21 May 2002.
ACP Countries Meet Required Ratification for Cotonou — Now Waiting on EU
On 23 May, Interim Chairperson for the Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) Secretariat, Ambassador Peter O. Ole Nkuraiya of Kenya, announced that the requisite number of ACP countries had deposited their instruments of ratification to exact the coming into force of the Cotonou Agreement (51 of 77 countries). However, the actual coming into force cannot occur until the required number of EU countries do the same. Currently only seven of the required fifteen EU states have ratified the agreement (Ireland notified its ratification on 28 May).
The Cotonou Agreement was signed on 23 June 2000 and replaced the previous Lomé conventions (see BRIDGES Weekly, 3 April 2002)
"The Cotonou Agreement Has Been Ratified By The ACP side. It Is Left To The European Union To Do So, Too," ACP PRESS RELEASE, 24 May 2002.