U.S. says WTO biotech challenge against EU remains
Key points
- The European Union's decision to approve a genetically modified maize will not affect the United States' challenge of EU biotech policy at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), a U.S. spokesman said on Wednesday.
- "The approval of this Bt-11 sweetcorn is not an end of the biotech moratorium, in our view," said Ed Kemp, spokesman at the U.S. mission to the EU in Brussels.
- The WTO set up a panel in March to deal with the complaint, which was filed by the United States, along with Canada and Argentina.
- Earlier on Wednesday, the EU's executive body approved imports of Bt-11, a sweet maize for eating straight from the can and marketed by Swiss agrochemicals giant Syngenta.
The European Union's decision to approve a genetically modified maize will not affect the United States' challenge of EU biotech policy at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), a U.S. spokesman said on Wednesday.
"The approval of this Bt-11 sweetcorn is not an end of the biotech moratorium, in our view," said Ed Kemp, spokesman at the U.S. mission to the EU in Brussels. "The approval of a single product does not affect our WTO challenge," he said.
The WTO set up a panel in March to deal with the complaint, which was filed by the United States, along with Canada and Argentina. A first hearing was expected in June and final report due in October, Kemp said.
Earlier on Wednesday, the EU's executive body approved imports of Bt-11, a sweet maize for eating straight from the can and marketed by Swiss agrochemicals giant Syngenta. It was the EU's first new GMO approval in more than five years.
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
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