Brussels, 19/03/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 18 March, the EU signed a deal with Argentina to put a formal end to a complaint lodged by Argentina against the EU at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in May 2003 on EU biotech products (genetically-modified organisms) (DS 291). The agreement consists of the introduction of regular dialogue on farm biotech issues of mutual concern. Like with the July 2009 deal between the EU and Canada ending another case at the WTO lodged by Canada in May 2003 (DS 292, see EUROPE 9944), the Argentinean deal foresees the holding of six-monthly talks between departments at the European Commission and the Argentine government on subjects like monitoring approval processes for genetically-modified organisms in the EU and in Argentina, biotech measures that might impact on trade between the EU and Argentina, biotech measures taken by EU member states that might impact on trade, the trade impact of authorising GMOs at different times, the trade and business consequences of future approvals of GMOs, renewing licences for GMOs, new farm biotech legislation and best practice in implementing biotech legislation. The aim of the regular dialogue is to exchange information to avoid unnecessary obstacles to trade.
The EU and Argentina will notify their agreement to the WTO's dispute settlement body, explaining that both sides are happy with it. The EU has yet to strike agreement with the United States over a complaint lodged by the US at the WTO on the same matter (DS 293). In a press release, EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht said he hoped the United States, the only remaining plaintiff in this case, would soon reach the same conclusion. (E.H./transl.fl)