Washington to pursue WTO complaint against EU policy on GMOs

In May 2003, Washington filed a complaint at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against the EU's rules on mandatory labeling of genetically modified (GM) foods, which has lead to a de facto moratorium on imports of any new biotech food to Europe. The US administration argues that labeling should be done on a voluntary basis. US farmers have reported massive losses because EU rules prevent them from exporting their crops to Europe.

Since adopting new labeling and traceability standards in July 2003, EU officials have argued that the US complaint should be dropped. The EU argues the new rules are an important step towards lifting the five year moratorium.

However, Allen Johnson, the chief agriculture negotiator for the US trade representative, stated on 4 August that the EU had not moved forward with approvals of new biotech products, therefore "the basis for the case is sound".

On 22 July, EU agriculture ministers formally adopted two pieces of legislation which aim at ensuring a safe approach to GM food and feed. The legislative package establishes a framework for the traceability of products consisting of or containing GMOs, as well as for food and feed derived from GMOs, with the objective of facilitating accurate labelling and monitoring of the effects on the environment and also on human health (see

EURACTIV of 23 July 2003).