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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>EU REJECTS
US-LED TRADE CHALLENGE ON GMOS<BR>August 8, 2003<BR>Reuters<BR>BRUSSELS -
European Commission spokeswoman Beate Gminder was quoted as<BR>telling a daily
news briefing Friday that "We very much regret this<BR>decision," referring to
the United States' decision to launch a trade suit<BR>against the EU's refusal
to accept most genetically modified organisms<BR>(GMOs), adding, "It has not yet
been decided whether the WTO will set up a<BR>panel, but we think that our
system of GMO authorisation is clear,<BR>transparent and non-discriminatory and
complies with WTO rules."</FONT><BR></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>