ANALYSIS:- GM SUGAR DELAY RAISES DOUBTS ON PROSPECTS July 10, 2000 Reuters Peter Blackburn LONDON -- According to this story, long delays in marketing genetically modified (GM) sugar, due to resistance from environmental and consumer groups, raise questions about its future viability. The story says that GM sugar beet has been approved for growing in the United States but farmers are stalling because soft drinks, food and other industrial users are concerned about growing consumer doubts over its safety. Lindsay Jolly, an economist at the London-based International Sugar Organization (ISO) was quoted as saying, "U.S. (beet) farmers got cold feet just before the planting season last year." The says that in addition to the U.S., China is expected to start growing GM beet soon and Australia and South Africa could follow with GM cane. In Britain, two GM herbicide-resistant beet varieties have been tested for many years but not yet cleared for food use. The European Union is still laboriously trying to agree rules for GM crop production and marketing, the next EU legislative milestone being the completion of a review of an environmental impact directive, scheduled for summer 2001. An EU novel feeds directive also still has to be approved. Colin Merritt, Monsanto Plc's biotechnology development manager, was quoted as saying, "It's a legislative labyrinth. EU rules are in flux while in the U.S. and rest of the world things are romping away." GM supporters argue that if other sugar-producing countries grow GM sugar, and the World Trade Organization (WTO) dismantles import barriers, then British and other EU farmers will no longer be able to compete. But they say rational debate within Europe has become difficult and the health, environmental and regulatory issues have become muddled.