CETA may open up Europe to GMO potatoes
Fresh Plaza | 17 February 2017
CETA may open up Europe to GMO potatoes
The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), if enacted could change many areas of trade between Canada and Europe. One of these changes could lead to Europe allowing GMO potatoes from Canada.
Now, the Canadian Press reports, "Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have approved a genetically engineered potato for sale, said a U.S.-based company on [March 21] in announcing that its non-browning spuds could be in Canadian supermarkets by Thanksgiving.
The article highlights, "The potatoes could be grown in Canada this season and be in stores by the fall." If these potatoes grow in popularity Canadian growers will seek to export them to the European market.
Global Affairs notes, "CETA will enhance the existing Canada-EU forum for discussion on biotechnology and emphasizes the promotion of efficient science-based approval processes and cooperation on a low-level presence of genetically modified crops."
With CETA in place, some believe the Canadian government could argue that European regulations on genetically modified foods are a non-tariff barrier that should be "resolved" as Canada allows GMO foods to go unlabeled.
