U.S. biotech industry awaits Europe approval speedup

After a World Trade Organization ruling last year found "undue delays" in Europe's approval of biotech products, the EC has until November 21 to bring its system up to speed.

"We still ... are not getting approvals through (the European) Commission, much less on a timely ... and science-based basis," said Sharon Bomer, vice president of industry group BIO, which includes major biotech players such as BASF Plant Sciences, a unit of Germany's BASF, and Bayer Cropscience.

Yet the industry is hoping the Bush administration won't have to press its complaint further at the WTO, which could ultimately lead to trade retaliations. Instead, it wants an amicable agreement to a conflict that has ruffled trans-Atlantic trade relations for years.

After a challenge from the United States, Canada, and Argentina in 2003, the WTO found the EC had a de facto moratorium on approving biotech products from 1999 to 2003.

Canice Nolan, who heads food safety affairs for the European Commission's delegation in Washington, said the EC is studying how to tighten up its internal processes and assessing other steps to streamline its approval system.

"We plan to have this done before the time limit runs out," Nolan said.

EU-U.S. discussions are continuing on the issue, with the next meeting scheduled for October, Bomer said.

Biotech products are increasingly common the world over and are used in animal feed, human food and other products. Genetic modification can, among other things, boost vitamin content in food or make crops resistant to pesticides.

But they are divisive in Europe, where some consumers worry about their safety. The issue has also polarized the bloc's member states, with some routinely opposing new approvals.