Bush argues Africa harmed by Europe's GE policies

WASHINGTON - United States President George W. Bush yesterday renewed his criticism of European nations for refusing to accept genetically engineered foods and contended that the ban was contributing to famine in Africa.

"For the sake of a continent threatened by famine, I urge the European Governments to end their opposition to biotechnology," he told a biotechnology conference.

"We should encourage the spread of safe, effective biotechnology to win the fight against global hunger."

European countries are concerned about the safety of genetically engineered foods. The European Union also says it provides more aid to African countries than the US and that it has done nothing to turn African countries away from biotechnology.

Reacting to Bush's comments, EU spokesman Reijo Kemppinen said: "We in Europe have chosen to do some things differently from the United States. We believe that it is better to be safe than sorry."



Last week, a final round of negotiations between the US and the EU failed and the Administration announced it would file a formal complaint with the World Trade Organisation to overturn Europe's ban on new biotech foods.

An initial WTO ruling in the case could come next northern spring.

Bush said: "Acting on unfounded, unscientific fears, many European Governments have blocked the import of all new biotech crops.

"Because of these artificial obstacles, many African nations avoid investing in biotechnology, worried that their products will be shut out of important European markets."

US corn farmers say they are losing about $US300 million ($518.31 million) in sales to the European Union each year because of the five-year-old trade barrier on genetically engineered foods.

The issue is also attracting new attention as agribusiness giant Monsanto prepares to bring the first gene-altered wheat to commercial markets, possibly next year.

The European Commission had tried to repeal a moratorium on biotech foods, with officials publicly fretting about ceding a burgeoning biotech industry to the United States.

But with consumer sentiment in many European countries running high against biotech foods, it has failed so far.

The United States is the world leader in biotech crops, with gene-spliced varieties accounting for 75 per cent of US soybeans, 71 per cent of cotton and 34 per cent of corn.

American environmental groups have demanded more inspections by the federal Government.

- REUTERS