*EPF109 07/07/2003
Text: U.S. Concerned that EU's Biotech Labeling Could be Burdensome
(Could constitute non-tariff barrier, hurting efforts to expand trade) (520)

The United States is concerned that proposed European Union (EU) regulations for labeling biotech foods could be needlessly burdensome and lead to the imposition of a new set of non-tariff barriers just at the time when the international community is trying to expand global trade, the State Department said on July 3.

The U.S. stressed that any regulation must protect consumer health and safety while maximizing consumer choice. "We agree that consumers should have information about the products they purchase so they can make choices," according to the State Department. "That is what the United States has done for years, but this information should be non-prejudicial in presentation and feasible for producers to provide."

The U.S. reiterated that the European Union's (EU) moratorium on new biotech approvals "is not based on scientific analysis, it blocks consumer choice, and jeopardizes the benefits biotechnology offers to the environment and to feeding the world's hungry."

Following is the text of the State Department's response to a question from its July 2 noon briefing:

(begin text)

Department of State
Taken Questions
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC July 3, 2003

Taken Question from July 2, 2003 Daily Press Briefing
EU: European Parliament Legislation on Biotech Food

QUESTION: What is the U.S. position on new European Union legislation which authorizes a labeling system for Genetically Modified agricultural products?

Answer: The European Parliament's approval of legislation on food labeling and traceability is part of a process of establishing regulations on biotech products. It does not lift the European Union's illegal moratorium on biotech products.

The United States believes that the objective of any regulation should be to protect consumer health and safety while maximizing informed consumer choice. We agree that consumers should have information about the products they purchase so they can make choices. That is what the United States has done for years, but this information should be non-prejudicial in presentation and feasible for producers to provide. We are concerned that the regulations that the European Parliament approved do not meet this standard. The European Union's practice may lead other countries to block trade by imposing similar needlessly burdensome labeling, traceability and documentation requirements, and thus could prompt a host of new, non-tariff barriers just when we are trying to stimulate global trade.

We have conveyed our concerns to the European Union and hope they will modify their proposal before adoption. If and when these regulations are adopted, we will examine them in light of the European Union's World Trade Organization obligations.

The European Union's five year moratorium on new biotech approvals is not based on scientific analysis, it blocks consumer choice, and jeopardizes the benefits biotechnology offers to the environment and to feeding the world's hungry. It conflicts with the analysis of six national academies of science, including the French Academy of Science and Medicine; and over 3,200 scientists, including 20 Nobel Laureates. We urge the European Union to lift this moratorium immediately.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

Return to Public File Main Page

Return to Public Table of Contents