U.S. biotech industry awaits Europe approval speedup

Bomer said the case is important not only because other countries may look to Europe for guidance on biotech regulation, but also because the bloc's "zero-tolerance" approach on unapproved products has the potential to derail massive trade flows from nations with more permissive systems.

"It has a tremendous impact on billions of dollars worth of trade when our approval systems are so disparate," she said.

A recent internal report last month said the EU took at least 2-1/2 years, and often much longer, to complete new GMO authorizations, compared with 15 months in the United States.

The issue rankles some in Washington. Last fall, a group of lawmakers pressed U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab to do more to force compliance from Europe.

Schwab's office declined comment on what steps the United States would take if it deems that Europe still falls short.