[Gen-Streitfall] wto panel delays proceedings in biotech dispute

[Cornelia Reetz]

Liebe Leute,
wie ihr unten lesen könnt, wird sich der reguläre Termin, an dem der
Panelbericht vorliegen sollte (12. August) nicht halten können. Wie
weit sich dieser verzögert ist noch unklar. Das hängt maßgeblich davon
ab, ob noch eine Expertengruppe eingesetzt wird oder nicht...

Viele Grüße,
Cornelia                                  

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BRIDGES Weekly Trade News Digest - Vol. 8, Number 24  7 July, 2004

WTO PANEL DELAYS PROCEEDINGS IN BIOTECH DISPUTE
 
The WTO panel examining the US-Argentina-Canada complaint against the
EC's de facto moratorium on the approval of new genetically modified
organisms (see BRIDGES Trade BioRes, 28 May 2004,
http://www.ictsd.org/biores/04-05-28/story3.htm) has delayed the next
step in the proceedings by about a month, pushing the second panel
session to the middle of September. The delay could be even longer
(mid-October or early November) if the panel grants the EC's request to
set up an expert panel to examine technical issues related to the case.
Parties now have until 19 July to submit rebuttals in the case and until
22 July to comment on the need for an expert group. The US has already
told the panel that it does not consider the establishment of an expert
group necessary. The timing of the interim and the final rulings remain
unclear in view of the revised schedule. The delay in the GM case
follows the announcement last week that the panel examining the EC-sugar
case will need more time to provide a ruling (see BRIDGES Weekly, 30
June 2004, http://www.ictsd.org/weekly/04-06-30/wtoinbrief.htm).
 
ICTSD reporting.

-- 
Alexandra Wandel
Trade and Sustainability Programme Co-ordinator
Friends of the Earth Europe
15, rue Blanche
B-1050 Brussels- Belgium
http://www.foeeurope.org, http://www.foei.org, http://www.bite-back.org
 
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **  * * * ** * * * * * * 
BITE BACK: WTO HANDS OFF OUR FOOD
Bush is using the WTO to force-feed you genetically modified food. You
can help stop them: Bite Back! Sign the Citizens' Objection online at
http://www.bite-back.org
 




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