Washington, DC
January 14, 2008
Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) President and
Chief Executive Officer Jim Greenwood today issued the following
statement regarding the World Trade Organization’s case against
the European Union on biotechnology approvals:
“In November 2006, a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute
settlement panel affirmed that international trading rules
clearly apply to agricultural products of modern biotechnology,
and that regulatory systems must be science-based. The panel
also concluded that the European Union (EU) operated a de facto
moratorium on approvals of new biotechnology products. The
biotechnology industry is disappointed to see that after14
months the EU has failed to implement the recommendations and
rulings of the panel in a manner consistent with its WTO
obligations, and still has significant delays in approving
biotech crops for import and cultivation.
“BIO and its members support the U.S. government in its efforts
to end this continued impasse. The biotechnology industry
strongly supports a science-based regulatory system for products
of agricultural biotechnology. It is BIO’s belief that the EU
does not have a functioning science-based regulatory system for
reviewing crops and foods improved through biotechnology. This
science-based regulatory system is necessary to fulfill the EU’s
WTO obligations, and our industry supports U.S. government
efforts to resolve the WTO dispute on Europe’s biotech approval
moratorium.
“The biotechnology industry applauds the Office of the U.S.
Trade Representative in working to ensure that member countries
honor their international obligations and commitments. BIO
members believe it is of the highest importance to uphold the
rule of law in general, and support the rules-based system of
international trade that countries throughout the world have
jointly developed over the past 50 years.
“Resolution of this issue is important to farmers around the
world employing modern farm practices. The EU moratorium has
blocked U.S. agricultural exports to the detriment of America’s
farmers and agribusinesses, and has also prevented European
farmers from benefitting from the technology.
“Biotech crops have tremendous potential to reduce the
environmental impact of farming. By growing biotech crops,
farmers reduce the consumption of fuel and greenhouse gas
emissions, as well as reduce the need for plowing to control
weeds, which leads to better conservation of soil and water, and
a decrease in soil erosion and compaction.
BIO represents more than 1,150 biotechnology companies,
academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related
organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other
nations. BIO members are involved in the research and
development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial
and environmental biotechnology technologies. BIO also produces
the annual BIO International Convention, the world’s largest
gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with
industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around
the world. |
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