The Canadian government has welcomed the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) adoption of a ruling against the European Union's (EU) treatment of imports of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

The victory, says Canada, is timely, as the demand for oilseeds in Europe is growing as a result of European Union policy to promote the use of biodiesel. This WTO decision has the potential to significantly benefit Canadian producers, who grow a number of grain and oilseed varieties that were not approved under the moratorium. 

“Our government has long argued that there was no scientific basis for the EU to delay the approval of GMO imports from Canada, which created an unjustified barrier to trade,” said David Emerson, the Canadian Minister of International Trade. “This ruling will enable Canadian producers to access European markets and effectively market their products.”

The move was also supported by Chuck Strahl, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food; “This ruling is a big win for the Canadian agriculture industry, and in particular the biotechnology sector,” added Minister Strahl. “Canadian developers, producers, processors and exporters are at the forefront of the industry, and can now export their innovative technologies and products to European markets.”

Significantly, the WTO panel accepted Canada’s argument that the EU had imposed an unjustified moratorium on the approval of biotechnology products during the period from June 1999 to August 2003, which amounted to an effective ban on the import of these products. The panel also found that the national bans imposed on GMOs by five EU members were not justified.

The EU has indicated that it will not appeal this decision.