U.S. Trade Rep Criticizes EC Opt-Out Proposal For Genetically Modified Food Imports

摘要

A European Commission proposal to allow European Union member states to "opt out" of accepting genetically engineered food and feed imports is "not constructive," U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman said. Froman's April 22 statement came as negotiators from the EU and U.S. met in New York in the ninth round of talks to reach agreement on a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The EC announced its proposal the same day. "At a time when the U.S. and the EU are working to create further opportunities for growth and jobs through the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, proposing this kind of trade restrictive action is not constructive," Froman stated. "We are very disappointed by [the] announcement of a regulatory proposal that appears hard to reconcile with the EU's international obligations."