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<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>World
treaty may become new focus for GMO debate <BR>REUTERS<BR></FONT><A
href="http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/KLR183430.htm"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"
size=3>http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/KLR183430.htm</FONT></A><BR><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3>19 Feb 2004 01:29:57 GMT<BR><BR>"While a main U.S.
concern is to resume shipping GM grain to Europe, this trade could be squeezed
by the rules of the U.N. Cartagena Protocol, which aims for transparency in GMO
trade. <BR><BR>Signatory countries now number more than 80 and will meet this
month in Malaysia to discuss how to implement the protocol, their first meeting
since it came into force in September. <BR><BR>The protocol obliges exporters to
provide more information about GM products like maize and soybeans before any
shipment to recipient countries, to help them decide whether to accept it.
<BR><BR>Under its provisions, a nation may reject GMO imports or donations --
even without scientific proof -- if it fears they pose a danger to traditional
crops, undermine local cultures or cut the value of biodiversity to indigenous
communities. <BR><BR>U.S. officials say they want to see proper implementation
of the protocol by its signatories, in line with WTO rules. If not, this would
harm trade and could be challenged. <BR><BR>"We are certainly very concerned
that there could be disruption of trade if the implementation of the protocol
isn't done properly," a U.S. government official said. <BR><BR>"If there is some
way that the parties implement the protocol that is inconsistent with the
provisions of the WTO, then we would certainly want to have that addressed at
the WTO." <BR><BR>Although many African nations are prone to food shortages,
countries like Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique have voiced concerns about
accepting GM maize donations -- saying GMOs have not been fully tested for
environmental or health effects. <BR><BR>CAN U.S. EXPORTERS COMPLY? <BR><BR>The
United States, where most GMOs originate, has not signed the Cartagena agreement
and looks unlikely to do so in the short term, insisting GMOs are no different
from natural organisms. <BR><BR>Along with major GMO exporters Canada, Australia
and Argentina, the United States says GM crops are safe, can increase yields and
resist destructive pests. <BR><BR>But the EU takes a diametrically opposed view
and has introduced tough rules on traceability and labeling of GMOs in foods and
animal feed that go beyond the Cartagena requirements. </FONT><BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"
size=2>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<BR>"Wir brauchen keine
Bio-Terroristen, wenn wir Gentechniker haben."<BR>Independent Science Panel (<A
href="http://www.indsp.org">www.indsp.org</A>; dt.Ü. <A
href="http://www.indsp.org/ISPgerman.pdf">www.indsp.org/ISPgerman.pdf</A>)</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>