GENTECH archive 8.96-97
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More on EU/US Conflict on GMO Labeling

EU'S FISCHLER: NO DECISION MADE YET RE: SEGREGATION OF GMOs 

                Futures World News - June 16, 1997 17:00
Washington-June 16-FWN--ACKNOWLEDGING U.S. CONCERNS over some suggestions
that the European Union (EU) segregate genetically modified organisms
(GMOs), EU Farm Commissioner Franz Fischler stressed today that no decisions
have been made on this issue. 

Fischler also indicated that current EU rules could allow for a label on ag
products which would state the product "may" contain GMOs. However, he told
reporters in a briefing after meetings with U.S. Administration officials
and lawmakers, that such a label may end up being almost worthless as the
scope of production of GMOs expands. 

The segregation issue was raised by U.S. Trade Representative Charlene
Barshefsky and USDA Secretary Dan Glickman, who termed signaled the matter
of "major concern" for the U.S., Fischler informed. 

"What we are preparing is a discussion about the basics," Fischler said,
such as "how we should label in the future" products produced with GMOs. 

After the matter is discussed in the European Commission, a decision would
then be made, Fischler said. 

"Consumers in Europe are interested to know what they are buying and what
they are eating," Fischler said. "And there's a major concern on our side
about these GMOs. And therefore I think it is important to introduce a
labeling system." 

Under the Novel Foods labeling directive, Fischler said a label stating a
product "may" contain GMOs is all that would be allowed. "That's a problem
in the next few years if we don't change the regulation," he added. "We
would end up in a few years where 80% or 90% of products are labeled as they
may contain genetically modified organisms. Then the information for the
consumer is zero." 

Fischler said it wasn't in the EU's interest to install new trade barriers
against America or others. "But it is in our interest to find a solution
where we can satisfy consumer demand for better information, and where we
can stick to our obligations in the WTO (World Trade Organization) that
these things must be based on scientific sound evidence." 

EU Deputy Director General for Agriculture David Roberts told reporters
after the briefing that a key is a "traceable system." Asked by FWN if that
was merely another word for "segregation," Roberts said it could be much
like "discrimination." 

While use of the word "may" is an honest term to describe whether a product
contains GMOs, Roberts said the EU could face a "consumer backlash" over the
issue. 

Separately, Senate Ag Committee Chairman Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) said in a
statement after meeting Fischler that any segregation of GMOs would be
"impossible and unnecessary." 

"There is a growing consensus among agricultural scientists and other
experts that crops developed through biotechnology must flourish if growing
world food demand is to be met," Lugar said. "Today, the United States is
the global leader in agricultural biotechnology. We must continue in this
role, discouraging other countries--such as those of the European
Union--from stifling biotechnology." 


EU'S FISCHLER: SEGREGATION, LABELING MAJOR GMO ISSUES 

                Futures World News - June 16, 1997 11:37
Washington-June 16-FWN--LABELING OF PRODUCTS WHICH may contain genetically
modified organisms (GMOs) such as Roundup Ready soybeans or Bt corn, and
segregation of those crops from other supplies, are two of the main issues
in U.S.-European Union (EU) trade relations, according to EU Farm
Commissioner Franz Fischler. 

Speaking to the European Institute, Fischler said one possibility regarding
labeling would be to say the products "may" contain GMO products. But, many
observers note that a label stating the product may contain GMOs tells
consumers little and thus they question why such a move would be necessary. 

As for segregation, some in the EU have said such a move is necessary to
ensure the EU receives only non-GMO products. However, Fischler said such a
step would be a major issue for the EU to deal with. 

Fischler is currently meeting with USDA Secretary Dan Glickman and will meet
with the Chairmen of the House and Senate Ag Committees this afternoon prior
to a 2:45 p.m. CDT press conference to discuss his visit. 

Fischler also met this morning with U.S. Trade Representative Charlene
Barshefsky. 

During Fischler's talks with U.S. officials, it is expected that labeling
and segregation of GMO products will be at or near the top of the discussion
list for those sessions. U.S. officials are concerned that segregation of
GMO products is being pursued in the EU, a move which is strongly opposed by
the U.S. industry, the Clinton Administration and U.S. lawmakers. 

On labeling, U.S. grain and export industry representatives signal they
would only accept labeling if the labels are based on sound science. 

That stance was formalized in a letter from several U.S. ag commodity and
farm groups sent last Friday to USDA Secretary Dan Glickman. 

The groups said they were "extremely concerned that adoption of these
proposals by the EU will result in major market disruptions, high price
discounts to U.S. farmers, and could potentially restrict access for U.S.
agricultural exports to the EU." 

"If there is a scientific basis for the protection of human, animal, or
plant health, labeling requirements must be applied in a non-discriminatory
manner that minimizes potential trade disruptions," the groups said. They
added that "segregation of crops and/or products is both scientifically
unjustified and commercially impractical." 


Gene crop segregation unrealistic, Toepfer says

LONDON, June 16, 1997 (Reuter) - Calls by some food manufacturers and
retailers for genetically modified crops to be made identifiable and
segregated from other supplies are unrealistic, German grain trader Alfred C
Toepfer said.  European retailers have called for strict segregation of
genetically modified material, notably a new variety of soy developed by
Monsanto  of the US and a maize developed by Ciba-Geigy and marketed by
Swiss company Novartis
                .
In its latest monthly newsletter, received here, Toepfer used soybeans an an
example to highlight difficulties involved in segregation. Even if the
proportion of modified beans grown were relatively small, segregation would
require farmers to clean equipment, vehicles and storage facilities, it
said.  Toepfer doubted whether farmers would be prepared to do this,
particularly as it could not be checked. Buying separate machinery, vehicles
and storage facilities would be just as unrealistic, it said.  Pointing out
that there are 8,000 barges on the Mississippi alone, and that cleaning
would have to include transport facilities within Europe, Toepfer questioned
whether those in Europe calling for strict segregation have thought the
consequences through to the bitter end.
                 --Christopher Lyddon, London newsroom +44 171 542 7928