Six EU countries including Germany and France reiterated opposition this afternoon to a rapid end to a ban on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), in the teeth of growing US pressure over the issue.
The EU states' farming ministers argued the moratorium should not be lifted before the implementation of new European rules on labelling of GMO foodstuffs.
"Germany starts from the principle that the moratorium will only be lifted once the rules on the origin and labelling have come into force," said German Agriculture Minister Mr Renate Kuenast.
Such views were also expressed by ministers from France, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg and Greece, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency, according to diplomats.
The US contends that the ban, applied since 1999 by seven EU states - France, Italy, Belgium, Greece, Denmark, Luxembourg and Austria - harms its exports of maize, cotton and soya.
US Trade Representative Mr Robert Zoellick said last month that he plans to file a case at the WTO, calling the EU's ban on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) "immoral" and "Luddite".
EU ministers adopted rules at the end of 2002 on labelling of GMOs, opening the way for a lifting of the ban. But the decisions have to be approved by the European parliament, where opposition remains fierce in some quarters.
Earlier this month the US said it was seeking support for its WTO challenge to the EU ban. Washington "would not be alone", US Deputy Trade Representative Mr Peter Allgeier said.
EU Consumer Affairs Commissioner Mr David Byrne today reiterated his desire that the ban will be lifted.
"I do believe it is now time to move on," he said.
AFP