European Commission DG TRADEEuropean Commission DG TRADE

11

EU EU NEW GMO LEGISLATIONNEW GMO LEGISLATION

Regulation 1829/2003Regulation 1829/2003Regulation 1830/2003Regulation 1830/2003

Ottawa – Winnipeg Ottawa – Winnipeg

June 2005June 2005

22

The EU todayThe EU today

25 Member States 25 Member States since May 1st 2004since May 1st 2004

Population 455 Population 455 million (7.3% of world)million (7.3% of world)

GDP over € 9,500 GDP over € 9,500 billion (28% of world)billion (28% of world)

Total trade with the Total trade with the world € 1.3 billion world € 1.3 billion imports.imports.

A single currency €A single currency €

33

EU – NAFTA Ag.tradeEU – NAFTA Ag.trade

3.000 2.000 1.000 0 1.000 2.000 3.000 4.000 5.000

Oilseeds and oils

Fruit & vegetables, cotton, tobacco

Other raw products

Cereals

Livestock

Tropical

Dairy

Sugar

Cigarettes tobacco products

Soft drinks fruit juices

Food preparations

Wine vermouth

Other alcoholic beverages

Confidential trade

EU trade 2002 in agricultural products with NAFTA(million Euro)

Source : Eurostat COMEXT 13 February 2004 (Statistical regime 4)DG Trade-C-2 Paul Verburgt

Raw products:Total imports7024 mn Euro

Processed products:Total imports2065 mn Euro

Other: Total imports48 mn Euro

Raw products:Total exports

5107 mn Euro

Processed products:Total exports

8933 mn Euro

Other: Total exports70 mn Euro

EU importsTotal = 9137 mn Euro

EU exportsTotal = 14110 mn Euro

44

Food Safety Food Safety A series of unfortunate crisisA series of unfortunate crisis

1995: BSE crisis1995: BSE crisis

[[1997: First shipments of GM soy/corn]1997: First shipments of GM soy/corn]

1999: Dioxin crisis1999: Dioxin crisis

2000: UK F & M out-break 2000: UK F & M out-break

Food safety is high on consumers’ / Food safety is high on consumers’ / citizens agendacitizens agenda

55

Consumers’ trust Consumers’ trust in various organizationsin various organizations

(1) Medical profession (1) Medical profession 54%54%

(2) Consumer organizations(2) Consumer organizations 49%49%

(3) Environmental organizations(3) Environmental organizations 46%46%

… …

(7) International organizations(7) International organizations17%17%

(8) National government bodies (8) National government bodies 14%14%

Source: Eurobarometer 2002Source: Eurobarometer 2002

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Europeans are also concerned Europeans are also concerned about their environmentabout their environment

24% of EU citizens are concerned about 24% of EU citizens are concerned about the use of GMOs in Ag. the use of GMOs in Ag.

(But 43% in some MS)(But 43% in some MS)

40% of EU citizens consider that they lack 40% of EU citizens consider that they lack information on GMOs in Agriculture.information on GMOs in Agriculture.

Environmental NGOs remain the most Environmental NGOs remain the most trusty sources of information (42%) before trusty sources of information (42%) before scientists (32%)scientists (32%)

Source: Eurobarometer 2004Source: Eurobarometer 2004

77

Working on a solutionWorking on a solution

Crucial need to regain consumer Crucial need to regain consumer confidenceconfidence

2000 White paper on food safety2000 White paper on food safety

‘’‘’Farm to fork” strategyFarm to fork” strategy

Transparency and consumer choice Transparency and consumer choice of utmost importanceof utmost importance

But measures must be feasibleBut measures must be feasible

88

EU Biotech EU Biotech What’s the problem?What’s the problem?

Biotech industry employed poor Biotech industry employed poor marketing strategymarketing strategyScaremongering / opportunistic Scaremongering / opportunistic organizationsorganizationsFood processors/retailers went GM Food processors/retailers went GM freefreeConsumers: why take possible risk Consumers: why take possible risk if there’s no benefitif there’s no benefit

99

New legislationNew legislation

[[Directive 2001/18 on environmental Directive 2001/18 on environmental release – in place since 2002)release – in place since 2002)

Regulation 1829/2003 on GM Food and Regulation 1829/2003 on GM Food and FeedFeed

Regulation 1830/2003 on Traceability Regulation 1830/2003 on Traceability and labelling of GMOs and traceability and labelling of GMOs and traceability of GM food and feedof GM food and feed..

Apply since April 2004Apply since April 2004