EU says Austria has lifted a ban on importing, processing genetically modified corn
Austria has lifted its ban on importing and processing genetically modified corn. According to the following Associated Press article they are finally complying with the World Trade Organization to lift the ban.
C.S. Prakash
EU says Austria has lifted a ban on importing, processing genetically modified corn
Associated Press
June 24, 2008
GENEVA: Austria has lifted a ban on importing and processing genetically modified corn as part of the European Union's efforts to comply with a World Trade Organization ruling on biotech foods, the EU said Tuesday.
At a regular meeting of the organization, the 27-nation EU informed trading partners that it was cooperating in good faith with Argentina, Canada and the United States, which have successfully pressed their case at the WTO.
The EU said it was taking steps to comply with a 2006 ruling that European countries illegally hindered the sale of genetically modified foods and cited the decision of the Austrian government, long one of Europe's most resistant, to allow genetically modified maize to be imported and processed.
The bloc said the ban was lifted on May 27.
Robert Prochazka at the Austrian mission in Geneva confirmed that his country implemented an EU decision on corn last month. It doesn't allow for the genetically modified crop to be planted in Austria, he said.
