WASHINGTON: Negotiations break down on genetically modified foods

The New York Times

Talks between the United States and the European Community over opening
Europe to genetically modified foods broke down in Geneva on Thursday, the
Bush administration announced.

U.S. officials said they would request the World Trade Organization convene
a panel to hear their case, in an effort to end a ban that farm groups say
deprives agricultural businesses of hundreds of billions of dollars a year.


The Bush administration called Europe's policy illegal, saying that
scientific research has shown genetically altered crops to be safe. European
officials said the long-term effects are uncertain.


(Published 12:01AM, June 20th, 2003)