Glimmer of progress as Biosafety talks close

Vienna, 20 September 1999 - The UN sponsored Biosafety Protocol talks to set international rules on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) closed in Vienna late Sunday night with the agreement to finalise the Protocol in January 2000 but leaving the question of how to deal with food and animal feed commodities open.

"The political commitment by all countries to sign up to the Biosafety Protocolol by all countries is promising," said Louise Gale, the head of the Greenpeace delegation in Vienna.

Whilst six major grain exporting countries (US, Canada, Argentina, Australia, Chile and Uruguay) resist including food commodities there is firm resolve by the majority to insist on the right to reject imports. Ethiopian delegate Dr Egziabher crystallised concern on Sunday when he said that "For us the right to say no is a matter of our survival."

"The great majority of countries rejected the demands made by the minority of six" said Gale. "Genetic modification could have irreversible effects on the environment and requires a binding agreement to give countries the right to protect their biodiversity."