11.   The same logic would hold true with biotech crops.

12.   The U.S. asserts there is no scientific reason for labeling or segregating biotech crops, and that any such action would violate world free trade rules.

13.   Austria and Luxemburg went farther, banning certain biotech crops.

14.   Biotech crops have met strong consumer resistance in Europe, and some U.S. food companies have shied from using them.

15.   Biotech crops have been developed to increase their resistance to herbicides or pests and are a growing industry in the United States.

16.   Critics of biotech crops say not enough is known about their safety or effect on the environment.

17.   Despite pressure from consumer groups, the administration insists that biotech crops are essentially the same as crops bred by conventional means.

18.   Developing countries charged that the U.S.-led group was doing the bidding of businesses whose chief interest is unfettered trade in biotech crops.

19.   Farmers eventually could be forced to sell biotech crops at a discount, he said.

20.   European governments including Austria and Luxembourg have banned certain biotech crops and regulations are widespread mandating the labeling of biogenetic food products for consumers.