EU downplays WTO ruling

BRUSSELS – The European Commission downplayed yesterday a World Trade Organisation ruling that found the European Union had imposed unfair restrictions on genetically modified crops.

In a first reaction to the ruling, the EU’s executive arm said the decision would not have an impact on its rules on GM crops. “For the moment, we see no consequences for our legislation which we consider to be toughest in the world,” commission spokeswoman for environment issues Barbara Helfferich said.A WTO dispute settlement panel backed a 2003 complaint by Argentina, Canada and the United States charging that a European moratorium on imports of GMOs, in place since 1998, reflected business protectionism rather than concerns about the health of consumers or the environment, according to diplomats in Geneva.They accused Brussels of foot-dragging and abusing a WTO agreement that enables members to restrict imports on health grounds.However, the commission spokeswoman said the EU rules on GM crops had changed since the 2003 complaint was lodged.- Nampa-AFP”For the moment, we see no consequences for our legislation which we consider to be toughest in the world,” commission spokeswoman for environment issues Barbara Helfferich said.A WTO dispute settlement panel backed a 2003 complaint by Argentina, Canada and the United States charging that a European moratorium on imports of GMOs, in place since 1998, reflected business protectionism rather than concerns about the health of consumers or the environment, according to diplomats in Geneva.They accused Brussels of foot-dragging and abusing a WTO agreement that enables members to restrict imports on health grounds.However, the commission spokeswoman said the EU rules on GM crops had changed since the 2003 complaint was lodged.- Nampa-AFP