As you know, last year the United States, Canada and Argentina filed a complaint at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over Europe's position on GM foods. Over 100,000 individual submissions have been sent to the WTO so far, demanding them not to undermine our right to eat GM free food. The WTO has now set up a three-person panel to meet in secret to decide whether to protect the interests of the biotech industry or the those of the public and the environment. In August 2004, the panel decided to seek for scientific and technical advice, which will delay the final decision until next year.

Acting under the pressure from the WTO, the European Commission is now attempting to overturn bans on genetically modified (GM) food and crops that Austria, France, Greece, Germany and Luxembourg put in place to protect its citizens and the environment. On 29 November the Commission will ask all EU member states to vote against these bans. If the European Commission gets its way, these five countries will have to lift their bans and allow more risky GM products into their countries. These national restrictions are the centrepiece of the US-led WTO complaint. A pro-biotech decision would also send a signal worldwide to other countries not to ban GM crops.

YOU CAN HELP! Stop the European Commission from forcing risky GM foods onto your plate under WTO pressure. Send a letter, fax or email to your government, demanding that they vote AGAINST the Commission's proposals and ensure that the Commission protects the rights of countries to take a precautionary approach to GM foods and crops.

* EMAIL YOUR MINISTER at: http://www.bite-back.org *
With sincere regards,
Carmen Olmedo
Friends of the Earth Europe - Bite Back campaign

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STOP THE EU FROM BACKING DOWN ON GM FOOD UNDER WTO PRESSURE. Write to your Environment Minister today, demanding them to vote NO! on proposals by the European Commission to end national bans on risky GM food!
Email your minister at http://www.bite-back.org

BITE BACK: WTO HANDS OFF OUR FOOD!
Bush is using the World Trade Organisation to force-feed you genetically modified food! You can help stop them: Bite Back today and sign the Citizen's Objection to the WTO at http://www.bite-back.org