Peter Jones, of the European flour milling association, said: "The WTO can pass all the rules they want, but resistance is coming from the consumer,
and consumers in Britain and Europe don't want GMO foods." [Quoted in an article in the Financial Times] http://news.ft.com/cms/s/8bc816d2-9911-11da-aa99-0000779e2340.html
"It is obvious to everyone that the U.S. will interpret the WTO ruling as a message to Africans that it is now time to eat GMOs and stop the noise-making..." - an agriculture consultant in Malawi [Reuters, Africans vow to resist any US pressure on GMOs]
"We do not want GM (genetically modified) foods and our hope is that all of us can continue to produce non-GM foods. The decision by the WTO does nothing to change our stand in this matter." - Zambian Agriculture Minister Mundia Sikatana [Reuters, Africans vow to resist any US pressure on GMOs] http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Business_News&subsection=market+news&month=February2006&file=Business_News200602097277.xml
"The protection of people and the environment have absolute priority, and the most recent scientific research vindicates our cautious approach in this matter," said Austrian Health Minister Maria Rauch-Kallat, responsible for national GMO policy."We will exhaust all possibilities to keep Austria's agriculture GM-free and ensure consumers' safety." [Reuters, Europe bridles at WTO view on national biotech bans]
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=6222
"The facts on agricultural biotechnology are clear and compelling. It is a safe and beneficial technology that is improving food security and helping to reduce poverty worldwide," said U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman. [US Department of Agriculture press release] http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2006/02/0040.xml
"US agro-chemical giants will not sell a bushel more of their GM grain as a result of the WTO ruling," said Daniel Mittler, trade adviser at Greenpeace International.[Biotech industry hails WTO ruling, The Australian] http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,18080372%255E1702,00.html
"the hysteria from the special interest groups is typical 'green,' anti-technology philosophy: keep the poor and hungry dependent on handouts from big government; paint the United States as a marketing bully; play up fear of innovation and science; and badmouth U.S. food companies. This WTO ruling appears to be one step toward preserving choices and options for both agriculture and consumers worldwide." - Steve Dittmer, Agribusiness Freedom Foundation [WTO Bows to Science, Rejects Politics & Protectionism]
http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=109012
"We do not want GMO on the Polish territory" - the Polish Prime Minister [PM: We do not want GMO in Poland]
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=6216
The ruling will open the door to more European customers for U.S. businesses but also will set an example for other world markets, said Leon Corzine, chairman of the National Corn Grower's Association, based in suburban St. Louis. [U.S., EU Again at Loggerheads on Trade]
http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.asp?feed=AP&Date=20060208&ID=5481145
Syngenta's (SYT) business is not expected to be impacted by the World Trade Organization's ruling..., says Bank Sarasin analyst Bernd Pomrehn. Even if the WTO's ruling lifts the moratorium on GMO-based food products in the EU, the European consumer won't easily change its aversion toward GMO food, says Pomrehn, which is the real reason that holds back further spread of GMO in Europe. [Dow Jones Newswire, Syngenta Not Seen Impacted By WTO Ruling] http://www.newratings.com/analyst_news/article_1199532.html
"The US... promote free trade around the world but they don't seem to have grasped the basic principles of supply and demand. There is no viable market for GM in Europe but US farmers could win back their market share by producing non-GM food that people actually want to eat." - Carrie Stebbings from GM Freeze [EU Citizens will decide on GM, not US/ WTO bullying]
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=6215