Serbia "belongs in WTO"; GMO ban is obstacle to membership

Serbia "belongs in WTO"; GMO ban is obstacle to membership

The minister told reporters that a ban on GMO trade was still in force in Serbia, which was an obstacle to WTO membership.

"There is a demand for amending the relevant legislation, but it has not begun yet. There is public resistance to the change. Unless we change the law, we can't expect to join the WTO," Ljajic said.

The minister also said that the legal change might be sufficient, but that rigorous rules might be needed in addition to it, too.

"I'm sure that GMO trade wouldn't exist even if we changed the law, because we can introduce strict rules related to GMO trade, which will make it very difficult, he said, adding that Serbia has every right to do what many other states have done.

The minister said that it was a pity that Serbia hadn't joined the WTO yet, because only 13 states remained outside WTO negotiations and membership.