On May 25, environmental campaigners delivered to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva a petition against the WTO dispute over Genetically Modified food.
The petition is a result of the WTO hands off our food campaign against a complaint filed at the WTO by the US, Argentina and Canada a year ago. These countries claimed that European Union policies and de-facto moratorium against genetically modified crops were not in line with WTO rules thus damaging their potential exports. According to campaigners, the US and other GM crops exporters are trying to force genetically modified food into the European Union and other parts of the world.
The global bite-back campaign was initiated last year by Friends of the Earth International and the petition (a citizens’ objection) has been signed by more than 100,000 citizens from 90 countries and more than 544 organizations representing 48 million people.
Signatories support the idea that the WTO should not undermine the right of any country to protect its citizens and the environment from Genetically Modified (GM) foods and crops. Signatories also believe that decisions concerning regulation of international trade in GM organisms should be made in accordance with the UN Biosafety Protocol and not by the World Trade Organisation.
A press release on the delivery of the petition is available at the Frieds of the Earth International website
The citizens’ objection can be signed at the global campaign website
More information on the WTO Dispute Settlement mechanisms
More information on the UN Biosafety Protocol
