Bush aides meet on EU biotech case http://money.cnn.com/2003/01/27/news/companies/biotech.reut/index.htm Source says White House is not happy EU is blocking approval of new biotech products. January 27, 2003: 11:56 AM EST WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Top Bush administration aides will try to meet Tuesday to decide whether the United States will file a formal complaint against the European Union's refusal to approve new biotech products, an industry source said on Monday. Craig Thorn of DTB Associates, a Washington-based agricultural consulting firm, said the Bush aides would make their decision Tuesday. Speaking at a meeting of U.S. corn growers, Thorn cautioned the travel schedules for some of the officials might delay the meeting at the last minute. For the past four years, the EU has had a moratorium on approving new biotech goods, including food and pharmaceuticals. The U.S. corn industry complains it is losing at least $300 million annually in sales to the EU as about one-third of the U.S. corn crop is genetically modified. The department heads expected to meet Tuesday include those of the Agriculture, State, and Commerce Departments, and the U.S. Trade Representative. Mid-level Bush administration officials, according to government and industry sources, have recommended the United States file a WTO complaint. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick has spoken forcefully in favor of a complaint. However, a range of issues, including the need for the United States to maintain strong ties with the EU before a possible war with Iraq, have been a factor in the decision-making process.