US says Cyprus ties could suffer over GMO plan. This is blackmail says George

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GMW: US says Cyprus ties could suffer over GMO plan

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Wed, 6 Jul 2005 19:33:54 +0100

 

 

 

 

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" This is blackmail. It speaks of harming bilateral relations. It is

very serious " - George Perdikis, a member of Cyprus's government coalition

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US says Cyprus ties could suffer over GMO plan

Source: Reuters, 06 Jul 2005

(Adds U.S. embassy response, paras 3,12-13)

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L06117419.htm

 

NICOSIA, July 6 (Reuters) - A plan by Cyprus to put genetically

modified food on separate supermarket shelves angered the United

States on

Wednesday, as Washington warned the move could harm bilateral ties.

 

The U.S. had sent a letter to the Cypriot parliament warning that the

move by the European Union country would stigmatise biotech goods and

could contravene Cyprus' obligations as a World Trade Organisation

member, deputies said.

 

A U.S. diplomat did not deny the existence of the note and said

Washington regularly shared views with Cyprus on issues of concern.

 

Under EU legislation, each state is free to display biotech food as it

wishes.

 

The bloc has tough rules for the labelling of food that contains

genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. If conventional food contains

more

than 0.9 percent of authorised GMOs, it must be labelled as such

throughout the 25-nation bloc.

 

" We want to put better information at consumers' disposal on what they

are buying, " said George Perdikis, a member of the Greens' Party which

tabled the proposal in parliament.

 

A note which Perdikis said was released by the American Embassy in

Nicosia, and which was seen by Reuters, urged parliamentarians to oppose

passage of the bill.

 

" The bill is in essence a poke in the eye of the U.S., which is the

leading developer and producer of agricultural biotech products, " the

note

read.

 

" The bill is tantamount to a non-tariff barrier to trade in biotech

goods and as such is in violation of your obligations as a member of the

WTO. It may also be inconsistent with your obligations as an EU member, "

the note states.

 

Perdikis, a junior partner in Cyprus's centre-left government

coalition, said he came across the note in his parliamentary documents.

 

" This is blackmail. It speaks of harming bilateral relations. It is

very serious, " he said.

 

A U.S. embassy spokesperson said: " The United States shares the goal of

the parliament and the government of the Republic of Cyprus to protect

the health and well-being of all Cypriots but it is of course up to the

parliament to decide what laws to pass.

 

" We do however regularly share our views with Cypriot officials on

issues of concern. "

 

European public opinion is consistently hostile to genetically modified

products, fearing negative health and environmental effects. Advocates

of biotechnology say it is safe and will help eradicate world hunger by

improving food supply. (Additional reporting by Brussels bureau)

 

 

 

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