Toronto Star | November 6, 1999 | By Stuart Laidlaw
GUELPH - Farmers and food executives discussing Europe's bargaining position going into world trade talks later this month in Seattle found themselves, according to this story, in a heated exchange yesterday with a European trade adviser over genetically modified foods.
They had gathered in Guelph for a seminar sponsored by the provincial agriculture ministry called Europe and the WTO, Negotiations on Agriculture.
Terry Daynard of the Ontario Corn Producers Association was quoted as saying at the beginning of question period that, "You've created a very effective trade barrier."
The story says that set off a loud discussion about the European Union's moratorium on approving genetically modified foods and that the moratorium has many farmers in Canada fearing they will not be able to sell their produce overseas. The moratorium, and trade in genetically modified foods, are expected to be big issues when 134 countries gather in Seattle in three weeks to begin three years of World Trade Organization talks aimed at freer trade.
Fred Kingston, a trade adviser to the EU based in Ottawa, was quoted as saying, "We're just responding to consumer demands," to groans of disbelief from the audience of farm groups and food company representatives.
Kingston added that Europe's politicians are simply following the market on this issue, with consumers telling stores they don't want genetically modified foods, and stores in turn saying they won't carry them, stating, "This isn't coming from government, it's coming from the larger grocery chains responding to consumer demand."
Victor Jarjour, Canada's counsellor on agricultural affairs to the EU in Brussels, was quoted as saying, "Well, if there are no health concerns, then approve (the foods)."
Kingston could only repeat that Europe's position is based on what consumers want, and doubted that would change anytime soon.
The story notes that the federal government will hold meetings in Ottawa in two weeks looking into the best way of labelling food containing genetically modified crops, with both supporters and critics of GMOs being invited.
At one point in the exchange yesterday, moderator Bobby Seeber of the provincial agriculture ministry tried to calm things down by suggesting another forum for the discussion.
"I'll remind you that we have a separate seminar later in the month on GMOs," he said.
