Canada, EU Settle GMO Dispute

The European Union and Canada have agreed to end their long-standing trade dispute over genetically modified organisms. The parties "signed in Geneva a final settlement of the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute which Canada had brought against the EU regarding the application of its legislation on biotech products," the European Commission said in a statement. Canada, the United States and Argentina filed a complaint against the EU regarding its GMO policy in 2003. The WTO ruled in 2006 that EU's six-year moratorium on genetically modified crops broke world trade rules.

"The mutually agreed solution with Canada is a clear sign that this type of dialogue works," said EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton. "I hope we can follow the same constructive approach with Argentina and the United States."

The Canadian Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ministry said that resolving this dispute means improved market access for commercially produced Canadian agricultural GMO products, particularly canola seed. "In ending this dispute, the European Communities has committed to an ongoing dialogue with Canada on biotechnology that will continue to help improve market access and avoid unnecessary obstacles to trade," Canadian International Trade Minister Stockwell Day said in a statement. "This is positive news for Canadian producers of all agricultural GMO products."

For more information, read http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/1142&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en and http://w01.international.gc.ca/MinPub/Publication.aspx?lang=eng&publication_id=387393&docnum=195