Reuters | November 9, 1999 | By Doug Palmer
WASHINGTON - In a related story, Siddiqui was cited as saying that the United States will seek negotiations in the World Trade Organization to establish clear science-based rules for the approval of genetically-modified crops, in case bilateral talks with the European Union fail and that Washington was pursuing a two-track strategy for resolving thorny trade issues involving the new generation of crops.
Earlier this month, Washington and Brussels agreed to establish a high-level experts' group on the GM crop issue. If that initiative fails to bear fruit over the next couple of months, the United States' second choice would be multilateral negotiations under the WTO.
James Grueff, a biotech trade negotiator for the USDA, was cited as saying the United States hopes the declaration that comes out of the Seattle meeting of the WTO the week of the Nov. 29 will set the stage for talks on approval procedures for GM crops, adding, "We think a focus on effective approval procedures should be an important part of these negotiations."
The story notes that Canada and Japan have made separate proposals to establish a working group to study GM crops issues. Siddiqui sais that remains a possible "backup plan," but the United States is concerned that a working group could delay concrete action on the issue for years.
