On 19 May, the European Commission approved the sale of Syngenta's Bt-11 sweet corn. The genetically modified (GM) maize, which will be sold canned, is the first approval in five years of biotech food sales within Europe. The maize imports, authorised for a period of 10 years "has been subjected to the most rigorous pre-marketing assessment in the world," according to EU Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner David Byrne. The US has long complained that the EU's restrictions on GM products have not been based on scientific evidence. "Our basic concern is that the EU does not have a consistently functioning approval process. Recent actions by EU authorities to advance a few biotech products through its process are not sufficient to address US concerns," commented Neena Moorjani, spokesperson for the US Trade Representative.

Many civil society groups sharply criticised the Commission's decision. "Good science and democracy went out the window last week when the European Commission approved that maize…it certainly isn't because of overwhelming public opinion," said Liana Stupples of Friends of the Earth International. Former Ulster Farmers' Union president and independent candidate for the European Elections noted, "This decision is a direct result of the EU acquiescing to American bully tactics". Despite the approval, Syngenta on 26 May announced its decision not to market Bt-11 maize due to reluctance of the European food industry to add GM corn to its product range.

It remains unclear how the Commission's decision, which effectively ends the de facto moratorium on GMO approvals (at least for food products), will impact on the WTO dispute brought by the US, Argentina and Canada against the de facto moratorium (see BRIDGES Trade BioRes, 30 April 2004). 544 organisations delivered a petition to the WTO on 25 May during its Public Symposium in Geneva, opposing the dispute launched by the US, Argentina and Canada against the de facto moratorium on GMO approvals. In addition, two groups have submitted amicus curiae briefs to the WTO on the biotech dispute

Additional Resources

The amicus curiae briefs as well as the submissions by the US and Canada are available on the ICTSD website.

"Anger at Euro ruling on GM maize," BELFAST TELEGRAPH, 20 May 2004; "EU allows sale of genetically modified corn," THE WASHINGTON POST, 20 May 2004; "EU approves GMO canned maize, lifting 5-year ban," REUTERS, 20 May 2004; "Syngenta decides not to market GM product in the EU after all," CORDIS NEWS, 26 May 2004; "Protestors ask WTO to keep out of GM food issue," AP, 25 May 2004.