U.S. warns EU not to derail GMO talksBRUSSELS, Jan 12 (Reuters) - The United States warned the European Union on Wednesday that if it pushes for food safety controls on genetically modified plants it will scupper negotiations on environmental dangers. Delegates will meet in Montreal this month to draw up a U.N.-sponsored Biosafety Protocol. U.S. assistant secretary of state David Sandalow, visiting Brussels, told reporters that "The Protocol is intended to focus on the effects of trade in GMOs on biodiversity. "If it becomes a debate on food safety we cannot succeed," he said. "Food safety discussions are more appropriate in other forums." A conference last February in Colombia broke up without agreement after the U.S.-led Miami Group of countries -- Canada, Argentina, Uruguay, Australia and Chile -- blocked labelling of GM bulk commodities. Europe, reflecting the fears of its consumers, insists on precise labelling for GM crops and foods derived from them, and has been much slower in approving new GM products than the United States. Sandalow, whose brief covers the oceans, the environment and scientific affairs, urged the EU to look at environmental and nutritional benefits of biotechnology rather than stressing potential risks. GROWING MOMENTUM ON CLIMATE CHANGE He told leading European Commission officials there was a growing momentum in U.S. public opinion for tackling global warming, despite resistance from Republicans in Congress. But EU proposals that countries meet at least half their greenhouse gas reduction targets through domestic action rather than emissions trading and other "flexible mechanisms" would be costly and slow the fight against climate change, he said. He accused the 15-member EU of "double standards" for trying to limit the use of emissions trading while allowing it between its own members.

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