From: Brett Paatsch (paatschb@optusnet.com.au)
Date: Tue Jun 17 2003 - 08:13:37 MDT
Quorum of 50 countries vote to allow rejection of GM
foods without proof they pose any danger.
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UN food treaty on GM food regulation to get effective soon
http://www.foodingredientsfirst.com/newsmaker_article.asp?idNewsMaker=3637&fn@gm
Site=AO545
"The United States and the European Union have been in a
dispute over genetically modified products, and the
disagreement has stalled the current round of WTO trade
talks.
16/06/2003 A United Nations treaty regulating the trade
of genetically modified products will soon go into effect,
after gaining the approval of a 50th U.N. member.
The Pacific nation Palau ratified the controversial treaty,
known as the Cartegena Protocol on Biosafety, Friday.
Fifty nations needed to adopt the pact before it will turn
into law, 90 days from now.
The U.N. Environment Program said Saturday that Palau`s
move will help make use of genetically-modified products
safer by allowing countries to reject them without proof
they pose any danger.
But the agreement goes against current World Trade
Organization (WTO) rules that require countries to have
scientific proof of a risk to refuse entry of these products.
The Associated Press reports none of the major grain
producing countries has ratified the protocol, including
the United States.
The United States and the European Union have been
in a dispute over genetically modified products, and the
disagreement has stalled the current round of WTO
trade talks.
Genetically modified foods have had their genes changed,
usually to make them more resistant to disease or to
produce in greater quantities. Proponents say they pose
no risk and could work to alleviate poverty. Critics argue
the genetic mutations could pose health hazards and
cause havoc in the environment.
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- Brett Paatsch
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