EU mulls U.S. trade ban in illegal GMO import row

April 8, 2005
Reuters/ Associated Press [via  Agnet]

BRUSSELS - The EU executive Commission was cited as considering  halting 
imports of genetically modified animal feed from the United States on  Friday in a 
row with a major Swiss agrochemicals group over illegal shipments to  Europe.

The stories explain that Syngenta disclosed in March that some of  its maize 
seeds were mistakenly contaminated between 2001 and 2004 with Bt-10,  an 
insect-resistant strain that was not approved by the European Union for  
distribution.

The stories add that the European Commission wants Syngenta  to help it 
identify Bt-10 so the 25-nation bloc can differentiate the two types  of
biotech maize and trace the tainted consignments but the Swiss firm has so  
far refused to give the information.

An EU official was quoted as saying,  "The Commission is reflecting about 
possible action ... a temporary suspension  of imports of corn gluten feed."

EU Health and Consumer Protection  Commission spokesman Philip Tod was quoted 
as telling a news conference that,  "We have again emphasised to Syngenta we 
must have it (detection method) as soon  as possible ... before next Tuesday."

Syngenta spokesman Markus Payer was  quoted as saying, "We are in constant 
contact with the European  Commission."

EU vets from the 25-nation bloc will meet on Tuesday to  discuss the 
situation and receive a report from the EU's food safety authority  on the
risks associated with Bt-10.