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Walt
US Poised to Challenge EU's Resistance to
GM Crops
I thought this might be interesting...
Misty
http://www.searching-alternatives.com
US Poised To Challenge EU's Resistance to GM Crops
By Edward Alden and Guy de Jonquieres The Financial Times
1-14-3
The US has talked for so long about a legal challenge to the
European Union's resistance to genetically modified crops that the
threat has begun to sound like a tape recording. Now Washington may
be poised to put words into action.
Last week, Robert Zoellick, the US trade representative, raised the
stakes by calling for the launch soon of a World Trade Organisation
case against the EU. Pascal Lamy, the EU trade commissioner,
immediately promised a vigorous defence.
If the US challenge goes ahead, it will be a huge gamble. It would
be the biggest and most highly charged in a long line of
transatlantic trade disputes that the WTO has been called on to
adjudicate since the mid-1990s.
Although a final ruling could take up to two years, litigation would
strain US-EU ties and imperil efforts to inject much-needed momentum
into the Doha trade round. Tensions could spill over into other
areas of transatlantic relations.
Furthermore, a US victory could prove pyrrhic. It would risk turning
EU opinion even more strongly against genetically modified
organisms - and the WTO - and kill off faltering European Commission
attempts to restart the approvals process.
The US might then seek WTO approval to retaliate against European
exports. That could further enrage the EU and lead it to activate
$4bn (£2.49bn) of sanctions against the US, authorised in a separate
dispute over an American corporate tax law.
Washington is keenly aware of the dangers. Indeed, the issue is so
sensitive that George W. Bush's cabinet may take the final decision,
probably later this month. However, Mr Zoellick's outspoken comments
suggest he is confident a WTO case will be launched.
Mr Zoellick has made clear that his patience snapped late last year,
when Zambia and Zimbabwe spurned offers of emergency US food aid
that could contain GM corn, saying that accepting it could
jeopardise their agricultural exports to the EU. He accused the EU
of "immoral" behaviour, claiming some member states had linked their
aid to African rejection of GM foods.
"The reason the logjam has finally broken is that this is no longer
about Europe but about Africa, India and the rest of the world,"
said a US official.
US trade officials see parallels with their successful WTO challenge
in the 1990s to the EU's ban on hormone-treated beef. Although the
ban has not been lifted, they say the WTO ruling discouraged other
countries from imposing similar curbs.
A US challenge on GM products would pose an even bigger test than
the hormones case for the WTO's still sketchy jurisprudence on food
safety. It would target the EU's de facto moratorium on new GM crop
approvals imposed in 1998, and possibly a proposed directive
requiring the traceability and labelling of GM products put on sale.
However, legal experts are divided over the prospects for US
success. The moratorium could be difficult to attack, because it is
semi-official and not based on firm legislation, and the planned
directive is not yet law.
"The US does not have a cast-iron case. It has a toehold case," says
John Jackson of Washington's Georgetown University, a leading
authority on world trade law. "I don't think current WTO rules can
handle a case on GM products. There has to be a negotiation."
Nonetheless, he and other lawyers believe that even if the WTO did
not uphold all its arguments, Washington might win enough to get the
moratorium condemned.
Some in Brussels also doubt whether a case would go their way. David
Byrne, the health and consumer protection commissioner, has
acknowledged the EU's defence would be based on "very narrow
grounds".
The Commission still hopes it can fend off US threats by showing
that the EU is moving to open its market. Last month, in a symbolic
gesture, it used its powers under existing legislation to approve
two oils derived from GM cotton.
Brussels insists the best way to get the moratorium lifted is
through small steps, designed gradually to win over EU ministers and
reassure public opinion, environmentalists and other campaigners
hostile to GM foods.
However, the strategy will only work if EU governments co-operate.
Even optimists in Brussels are unsure that they will. "This is an
area where there are no guarantees," says one official. "Every
prediction we have made so far has been confounded."
http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/St
In Reply to: Genetically Engineered Foods (USA bullying and arrogance.) Archive posted by Walt Stoll on January 15, 2003 at 07:07:13:
It's an indication of how Monsanto and ADM and the like have put us to sleep with a very sophisticated campaign designed to play on our ignorance and the belief that our government would surely prevent any harm to our food supply.
There is a time limit to the needed awareness neccessary to effect a change in our thinking and policies. Big business knows this and are desperately trying to reach the point of no return. There is a point in time where the clock cannot be turned back and GMO crops will take over.
You would think people would start to wake up when starving countries refuse to accept GMO grains. Can they be more educated than us or just more honest with their population.
We, as individuals, are the last hope to put a moratorium on this.
All the lobbying and money passed around to push GMO foods is still predicated on having politicians bought and payed for when it comes time to vote in the House and Senate.
People who write their congressmen and Senators ARE LISTENED TO because it's a proven fact that those who voice their opinions always VOTE.
Perhaps it's too late, but as an individual, the time is always now. Virtue is always found in the struggle.
Bob
In Reply to: Genetically Engineered Foods (USA bullying and arrogance.) Archive posted by Walt Stoll on January 15, 2003 at 07:07:13:
here's a primer on GMO hazards
http://www.organicconsumers.org/ge/gefacts.pdf
please take the time to read it and pass it on.
Bob
In Reply to: Genetically Engineered Foods (USA bullying and arrogance.) Archive posted by Walt Stoll on January 15, 2003 at 07:07:13:
we have to stop thinking of our planet as a giant dirt ball. It is a LIVING organism with a nature like every other living organism. It has been assaulted viciously for the last hundred years and will, at some point, fight back to remain alive. Altering it's nature to suit our greed might be the final insult.
Michio Kaku said the reason it seems so difficult to find other life in the Universe is that in all evolution a point is reached where a thinking life form attains the ability to destroy itself, and without virtuous motive, will.
We have been on that road since we were bright enough to discover uranium. Now we are going to alter our food supply without knowing the consequences. Where do you think we are headed?
pS--My appologies to Walt and the board for carrying on but as you can tell this a sore topic for me. But I'm done now and feel a lot better.LOL
Bob
In Reply to: Genetically Engineered Foods (USA bullying and arrogance.) Archive posted by Walt Stoll on January 15, 2003 at 07:07:13:
Walt, I hope the rejection of GM foods by European consumers encourages more US citizens to take the same stance. That would be the best outcome.
In Reply to: Genetically Engineered Foods (USA bullying and arrogance.) Archive posted by Walt Stoll on January 15, 2003 at 07:07:13:
I am inclined to think that it is bullying that is the problem, and pushing for GM foods is just a manifestation. If you let them do get away with that, what will they figure out they can do next...business people tend to confuse technological advances with progress.
During the past 50 years or so, USA has been leading in technological develpment. Europe has just been running to catch up with whatever was new. But the last 10 years or so, the whole 'new is better' trend has just taken off to new hights. I don't have anything against technology (or USA), but the trend I observe is scary.I keep on thinking about frog in the cold water. Limits are being pushed all the time, and what was once unimaginable is now being proposed.
Unfortunately I have no solutions, only a concern that if people do stupid things and no one stops them, we will all have to pay in the end. Otherwise I share the hope with PeterB that people might get influenced by European concerns and start thinking for themselves.
In Reply to: Genetically Engineered Foods (USA bullying and arrogance.) Archive posted by Walt Stoll on January 15, 2003 at 07:07:13:
I am inclined to think that it is bullying that is the problem, and pushing for GM foods is just a manifestation. If you let them do get away with that, what will they figure out they can do next...business people tend to confuse technological advances with progress.
During the past 50 years or so, USA has been leading in technological develpment. Europe has just been running to catch up with whatever was new. But the last 10 years or so, the whole 'new is better' trend has just taken off to new hights. I don't have anything against technology (or USA), but the trend I observe is scary.I keep on thinking about frog in the cold water. Limits are being pushed all the time, and what was once unimaginable is now being proposed.
Unfortunately I have no solutions, only a concern that if people do stupid things and no one stops them, we will all have to pay in the end. Otherwise I share the hope with PeterB that people might get influenced by European concerns and start thinking for themselves.
In Reply to: Genetically Engineered Foods (USA bullying and arrogance.) Archive posted by Walt Stoll on January 15, 2003 at 07:07:13:
One effective way to stop this stupid game of playing god with nature is to change the human arrogance--the western-know-it-all attitude. This effort can not be achieved through science education, obviously, but rather through Eastern spirituality--all of which profess a great respect of nature, an acknowlegement to the interconnection of everything on the planet (and beyond), and an awareness of the interdependence between human and nature.
Hmm, the issue still remains as how to integrate spirituality into the educational system. I wonder if this will ever be possible in this "modern" world. Any thoughts?
In Reply to: Re: Genetically Engineered Foods (USA bullying and arrogance.) Archive posted by Sonja on January 15, 2003 at 15:44:50:
"frog in cold water?" What's the implication?
About technology, the ultimate question to ask is: is it going to save or ruin the world?
In Reply to: Re: Genetically Engineered Foods (USA bullying and arrogance.) Archive posted by bing on January 15, 2003 at 18:45:34:
Do you really believe in that crap Bing?
There is no such thing as Western know-it-all-atitude and "Eastern spirituality"! It is reifying cultures and simplifying beyond belief!
The world is not as simple as you picture it. Actually, that simplification puts me off any further discussion.
In Reply to: Re: Genetically Engineered Foods (USA bullying and arrogance.) Archive posted by bing on January 15, 2003 at 19:12:59:
About technology: it is here to stay. There are no ultimate questions, as anything we have today is a result of numerous adaptations.
About the frog: can't be bothered to explain every little thing you don't understand. Check for yourself. It is really up to you to decide when you understand enough to participate on equal foot in a discussion based on different language and communication.
In Reply to: Re: Genetically Engineered Foods (USA bullying and arrogance.) Archive posted by Sonja on January 15, 2003 at 19:34:48:
Hmm, makes me wonder if this post IS really from Sonja, since I find it hard to associate this tone with that person. Sometimes you do surprise me with an unexpected angery tone in your voice, Sonja.
Well, I'm no authority on these matters since I'm still a student in this respect. But Walt probably is. If you value his opinion at all, maybe we should ask him:
Dear Dr. Stoll, is there such a thing as a Western-know-it-all attitude? And, is Eastern spirituality crap? Sonja and bing disagrees on these questions, and you are the tie-breaker here. Could you kindly advise? ;)
In Reply to: Re: Genetically Engineered Foods (USA bullying and arrogance.) Archive posted by bing on January 15, 2003 at 20:05:01:
Bing,
It is me. True, I don't normally react like this. But I just hate when people criticise 'The West'.
Whose 'know it all' attitude are you talking about? Mine? Walts? Who do you consider IS 'The West'? What is 'western'? What explanatory power does that adjective have? the way you put it, the Westerners may well be all be factory produced, and indoctrinated to think exactly the same. And excuse my language, but that is crap.
And when you say 'Eastern', who do you think of, then? And when you say 'spirituality', what do you mean by that? I don't like polarisation. It is inaccurate. It is foolish at best and dangerous at worst.
In Reply to: Re: Genetically Engineered Foods (USA bullying and arrogance.) Archive posted by bob lembo on January 15, 2003 at 07:55:04:
Thanks, Bob.
You have put your finger on why I have donated an average of 6 hours a day, 7 days a week, to this website for the past 6+ years. Public education is our only hope--thin as that hope may be.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Genetically Engineered Foods (USA bullying and arrogance.) Archive posted by bob lembo on January 15, 2003 at 08:27:55:
Thanks, Bob.
You are absolutely right. I first became aware of Gaia when I began to really get healthy 25 years ago.
Namaste`
Walt
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