LJAJIC: We need to allow GMO trading

Rasim Ljajic (Photo: Mc.rs)

If we want to be admitted to the WTO, we need to allow GMO trading, but the ban on production will remain in effect, Trade Minister Rasim Ljajic told B92.

The European Commission said in its yesterday's report that Serbia should amend laws on genetically modified organisms (GMO) in order to join the World Trade Organization.

Radim Ljajic said during his guest appearance on TV B92's Kaziprst that it was not a secret that the condition to join the WTO was to remove all restrictive regulations regarding trade in any products, even GMO's, from the legislation.

- Ban on GMO production will remain a part of the state legislation. People at the WTO are against the ban on GMO trading - Ljajic said, explaining that GMO trading can be maximally limited by the state legislation.

The minister also said that regulations must be amended very quickly if Serbia wanted to be admitted to the WTO in December. He reiterated that Serbia was among 25 countries that were in the process of negotiating the admissiont to the WTO, adding that only 13 countries were still outside the WTO.