The WTO and the GE giants

On May 13, 2003 the US government filed a formal complaint with the WTO against the EU's de facto moratorium on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), demanding US$ 1.8 billion from the EU in lost GE maize exports.

Instead of increasing acceptance of GMOs, the US global war on farmers, consumers and the environment is consolidating both the global rejection of GE crops and the global consensus on biosafety - further isolating the US as a rogue state in the international arena.

All countries are entitled to refuse GMOs and to demand mandatory labelling of GE products. Decisions concerning regulation of international trade in GMOs should be made in accordance with the UN Biosafety Protocol and not by the WTO.

The 'Amicus Coalition', a coalition of 15 non-governmental organisations from Europe, Asia and the Americas including Greenpeace, submitted evidence to the WTO dispute panel considering the US-led complaint against the EU. The coalition has filed an 'amicus curiae' brief that accuses the US of trying to scare developing countries into adopting the controversial technology.

Greenpeace also joined the Bite Back Coalition of groups defending the right of countries to regulate against GE hazards. International campaigners from the 'Bite-Back' coalition delivered a petition to the WTO in May 2004, signed by more than 100,000 people from 91 countries, asking it to not force feed the world GE products.

If the EU loses the case, it will have to pay compensation and/or face trade sanctions. This outcome could also discourage other countries from implementing appropriate measures to protect the environment from GMOs and effectively force them to accept GE foods and crops.


The GE giants:

Monsanto : is the global leader in developing and marketing GE products. In 2002, over 90 percent of GE hectares worldwide were planted with Monsanto's GE seeds. While the agrochemical business is still the cash cow of the company, its GE products are one of the most fiercely rejected product groups ever. Read More

Bunge: makes US$22 billion in revenue a year, a large proportion of which is from soya both GE and GE-free. As the world's leading oilseed processing company and as one of the world's leading traders and processors of soya, Bunge has a responsibility for the environmental safety of the products that it trades. Read More

Cargill: is the US's largest private corporation, with diversified operations including commodity trading of grain, coffee, cotton, rubber, sugar, and petroleum; it is also the number one US grain exporter. Cargill is one of the biggest marketers for the three main oilseed crops consumed in Europe, soya beans, rape (canola) and sunflower seeds, with market shares of up to 10 percent, between 10 and 20 percent and up to 10 percent respectively.

Syngenta: is a Swiss agricultural company formed in 2000 from the agrochemical and seed businesses of Novartis, and the agrochemicals and biotechnology research divisions of AstraZeneca. Syngenta is the world's second biggest player in agrochemicals and the third biggest seed producer. Read More

Bayer CropScience : is the agricultural subsidiary of the German based pharmaceutical and chemical company Bayer AG. In 2002 Bayer AG had sales of €29,624 million. It is a major player in the development and marketing of GE crops. Read More


In-Depth:

Help us stop Bush & Co force feeding the world GE food

Amicus Curiae submited to the WTO

The US War on Biosafety - Renewed Aggression by a Rogue State

Monsanto & Genetic Engineering - Risks for Investors (Exec summary)

Food Dictators Won't Feed the World - They Are Part of the Problem

How does the WTO affect you, and why should you care about it?