World Wire
Panel discusses biotech food
Tuesday, May 9, 2000

By Associated Press

http://www.enn.com/news/wire-stories/2000/05/05092000/ap_biotalks_12801.asp

[Fair Use: For Educational/Research Purposes Only]

Delegates from around the world begin meetings today in Ottawa take another stab at creating United Nations-approved rules for labeling genetically modified foods.

The future of the biotech food industry could be shaped by decisions made at the four-day conference of Codex Alimentarius, a U.N. body that deals with food standards.

The United States and European Union are in opposing camps in the bureaucratic battle. Canada, which heads up a key committee on food labeling, is trying to find a compromise.

One proposal, favored by the United States, would require genetically altered food to be labeled if it raises some risk to health or environmental safety.

A rival proposal, favored by the European Union, would required all foods to be labeled even if there is no identified risk.

Margaret Kenny, an official with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, said Canada will seek to combine the two propositions.

"Canada supports mandatory labeling for health and safety matters," Kenny said in an interview Monday. "We're also very supportive of the need for uniform international standard.

"We're certainly hopeful at this meeting there's going to be some ideas on the table, where we can talk about getting the best of both proposals."

The outcome could have an important impact on the fast-growing biotech industry.

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-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000