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European pol warns of backlash if U.S. takes case against Europe over biotech to WTO
(Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2003 -- CropChoice news) --
Scott Miller and Brandon Mitchene, The Wall Street Journal, 01/21/03:
BRUSSELS -- David Byrne, the EU commissioner for health and consumer
protection, was cited as saying that U.S. food companies face a consumer
backlash in Europe if Washington follows through on threats to lodge a
formal complaint at the World Trade Organization over the European Union's
biotech food policies, and that the increasingly harsh U.S. rhetoric on
Europe's 4 1/2-year ban on testing new genetically modified food is unfair,
arguing Europe is making progress toward restarting approvals this year,
adding, "If the U.S. or another trading bloc sought a regime on how food was
put on the market in Europe, I think the public would react extremely
badly."
The story says that U.S. companies that support taking action say they are
concerned it may hurt their bottom line. But many in the Bush
administration, including Mr. Zoellick, now believe that lodging a WTO case
is important as a matter of principle.
Mr. Byrne didn't indicate specifically what form a European consumer
backlash could take. But trade analysts have warned that Europeans might
steer clear of U.S. food products if Washington brought a WTO case to
protest what consumers could consider an American attempt to restrict
information about the food they find on store shelves. | |
