An analysis of the beef hormone and other WTO cases by the financial
consulting firm Oxford Analytica concluded that WTO settlements have
suffered from “Compliance problems (losers are slow to come into
conformity
with the rules, often for domestic reasons)…[and] outcomes that may
encourage the launching of further disputes….” The beef hormone
and GE food
cases show that in a global market, the U.S. will have more success selling
its agricultural products by focusing on providing food that global
consumers want to buy, rather than trying to shove whatever farmers produce
down foreign throats regardless of consumer demand.
Finally, in addition to the dozens of countries and regions that adopted
regulations on GE foods prior to the U.S. case against Europe, many more
have since adopted new and/or stronger rules. This trend is increasing
despite the Bush Administration hope that its WTO challenge would dissuade
other countries from restricting GE food. Just a few recent examples of
new
global restrictions on GE foods since 2003 include:
Africa:
· Ghana: In July 2005, the Food and Agriculture Minister announced
that
Ghana would reject the importation or cultivation of any GE food into
the
country. In September the Minister of Environment and Science launched
the
National Biosafety Framework, stating that any GE imports would have to
pass
through “vigorous inspections” to insure that products meet
safety
standards.
Asia:
· India: In December 2005, India’s Food Standards authority
calls for
mandatory labeling, citing an Indian Council of Medical Research report
finding that GE foods have the “potential to induce toxicity, transfer
to
gut flora or produce unintended effects leading to changes that are relevant
from toxicological/nutritional perspective.”
South America:
· Venezuela: In April 2004, President Chavez declares GE crops
will be
prohibited in Venezuela.
Europe:
· Switzerland: In November 2005, a nationwide referendum calling
for a
five year moratorium on GE crops passes with over 55% support.
Conclusion
Regardless of the outcome of the upcoming WTO decision, European and
global
resistance to GE foods will continue. The Bush Administration aggression
on
gene altered food can only further isolate the U.S. in the world community,
as farmers, consumers, and environmentalists worldwide have rejected this
risky new food technology, in favor of sustainable food production that
truly serves people’s needs.