The Case for Caution

FRED GUTERL / Newsweek International 27jan03

‘We believe that citizens should have the right to choose’

EU Doesn't Tell Africa GM Foods Are Unsafe PASCAL LAMY, EU Trade Commissioner Wall Street Journal 17jan03

When China, India and Zambia decided to resist genetically modified food, they were widely perceived as following Europe’s lead. U.S. Trade Rep. Robert Zoellick has threatened to drag Europe before the World Trade Organization over its policy on such crops. Pascal Lamy, the European Union’s trade commissioner, tries to set the record straight.

WHY DOES EUROPE resist GM foods when scientists say they are safe?

Scientists everywhere in the world acknowledge that foods may be toxic, provoke allergies or create environmental problems, be they GM or non-GM. On the human-health front, the U.S. approach is to allow marketing without prior testing of GM foods that are deemed to be “substantially equivalent” to the non-GM variety. Many scientists question whether this is a sufficient basis for regulatory approval. In Europe, we do more thorough testing on every GM variety. Our objective is to rebuild consumer confidence, which has been badly shaken by food scares in recent years.

Why do Europeans dislike GM foods?

Like Americans, Europeans have preferences concerning food which may relate to nutrition, to taste, to the conditions in which food was produced, to the political regime in the country of origin, to the organic nature of the food and so on. Some Europeans dislike GM. So do some Americans. We believe that citizens should be free to choose.

Is Europe’s stance on GM foods payback for other American policies?

This is not about the U.S.A. This is simply what Europe wants to do in Europe’s own interest. Consumers will be willing to buy GM foods if and when they are convinced that these products are safe for human health and for the environment—and if they see a benefit in the products. Public authorities need adequate regulatory systems, and companies selling biotech products need to show what’s in it for the consumers, be it in terms of quality or price of the products concerned.

To what extent is GM foods a trade issue?

This is not at all a trade issue. Once a GM food is considered safe, it can be marketed freely. We already import a lot of GM soy from the U.S., as well as plenty of Argentinian GM corn. Europe’s policy on GM food is not about protectionism. It is about meeting the legitimate health and environmental concerns of our consumers and about allowing consumers a choice.

Do you expect the U.S. to raise GM foods with the WTO?

There is no issue the WTO needs to look at here. Europe has a rational and thorough approval process. The U.S. would like our process to run more quickly. A WTO case would provoke antagonism and would not be helpful in creating the necessary consumer confidence.

What will labeling of GM foods in Europe accomplish?

Labeling is a means to ensure that consumers in Europe can make an informed choice. Labeling will allow consumers to grow used to the choices and to assess the relative prices and values of various offerings.

Were Zambian officials fools or heroes to reject U.S. corn?

Zambia is a sovereign country and makes its own decisions. Zambians do not need to be heroic to assert their sovereignty. Nor is it foolish to say, as Zambia does, that they are in favor of biotechnology, but want to look closely at some health and environmental issues before approving the import of some GM corn varieties. GM-free supplies are available in surplus in southern Africa. Europe’s policy is to provide food aid procured in the region, rather than as a means of disposing of domestic stocks.

Did Europe have anything to do with Zambia’s decision?

Nothing whatsoever. Europe has made it clear to Zambia that we have already approved some U.S. corn varieties for import into Europe. We have also made it clear to them that we have never rejected any GM food application in Europe as being unsafe for human use. We have also made available to them the scientific assessments at our disposal. I myself conveyed this message to the Zambians during my recent trip to the region.

Has Europe lobbied China to hold off on GM foods?

We have lobbied no one to hold off on GM foods. We respect countries’ sovereign rights to decide on their policies towards GM foods. Active lobbying on GM use around the world is more a U.S. habit.

source: www.msnbc.com/news/861362.asp 21jan03