Sign in Subscribe
European Union

WTO Agrees to EU Request for Biotech Crop Dispute Review

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The World Trade Organization has agreed to a European Union request for a panel of scientific experts to review a complaint filed by the United States, Canada, and Argentina against the EU's ad hoc moratorium on new biotech crop approvals. The dispute has been ongoing since last year, with the EU citing health and environmental concerns raised by biotech crops. The United States had argued that an expert panel was unnecessary, as there was no scientific issue affecting the legal judgments. However, the EU has sought to shift the debate to health and environmental concerns, and several EU member-states continue to maintain "product-specific moratoria" on new approvals.

Key Takeaways:

  • The WTO has agreed to a European Union request for a panel of scientific experts to review the complaint filed by the United States, Canada, and Argentina against the EU's ad hoc moratorium on new biotech crop approvals.
  • The dispute has been ongoing since last year, with the EU citing health and environmental concerns raised by biotech crops.
  • The United States had argued that an expert panel was unnecessary, as there was no scientific issue affecting the legal judgments.
  • The EU continues to deny the existence of a "general moratorium" on approvals, despite the ongoing dispute.
  • Several EU member-states continue to maintain "product-specific moratoria" on new approvals, including the two biotech varieties recently endorsed by the European Commission.
  • Friends of the Earth Europe criticized the WTO's decision, stating that it is a "secretive and undemocratic organization" that should not be deciding what we eat.
  • The dispute panel handling the case is now expected to issue its report no earlier than next March.

Statistics:

  • The dispute has been ongoing since last year.
  • The EU has approved two new biotech crops since traceability and labeling regulations took effect in April.
  • The United States and its partnering countries have filed a complaint against the EU's moratorium on biotech crop approvals.
  • The dispute panel handling the case is expected to issue its report no earlier than next March.

Sources:

  • WTO Dispute Settlement Body (no specific date provided)
  • ICTSD (International Center on Trade and Sustainable Development)
  • Friends of the Earth Europe (no specific date provided)

Read more