WTO rules against EU on GM crop bans; Greens claim victory.(genetically modified)(Brief article)

The World Trade Organization (WTO; Geneva) has ruled that the European Union's (EU) moratorium on approving genetically modified (GM) crops does contravene international trade regulations, according to a leaked report distributed last week by environmental groups and confirmed by the European Commission. The report relates to a case brought against the EU at the WTO in 2003 by Argentina, Canada, and the U.S. WTO is not due to make its ruling public until next fall. The final ruling, if confirmed, draws similar conclusions to those of an interim report on the dispute published earlier this year (CW, Jan. 11, p. 13).

The report does not recommend that any sanctions be …