Switzerland – The European Union and Canada have concluded an agreement on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on Wednesday in Geneva. They put an end to the complaint filed by Canada in 2003 against the EU legislation.

“The European Union and Canada have signed an agreement today in Geneva to terminate the proceedings in May 2003 by Canada against the European Union in the WTO within the framework of OMC and relating to the application of the community legislation on the biotechnological products” announced the European Commission on Wednesday.

In May 2003, the United States, Canada and Argentina had lodged a complaint against the EU at the World Trade Organization regarding the moratorium on the import of nine GM products imposed by six member states ( Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg). The three countries then agreed that these prohibitions were only the translation of protectionism for European agriculture.

The agreement between Canada and Europe based on the establishment of semi-annual meetings on the market for agricultural biotechnology and in particular on their trade and economic future approvals of genetically modified products or actions concerning biotechnology may affect trade between Canada and the European Union. “The European Union and Canada will notify the agreement to the Dispute Settlement Body of the WTO as a mutually satisfactory solution,” says the European Commission.

“I hope we can also adopt a constructive approach with Argentina and the United States,” said Catherine Ashton EU Trade Commissioner.