On 24 June 2026, the European Union, speaking at the World Trade Organization's regular Dispute Settlement Body meeting in Geneva, reiterated its call for WTO members to join the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA) and reported on the status of genetically modified crop approvals in the EU. The statements were delivered by Davide Grespan, Minister-Counsellor, and Victor García-Lopez-Berges, Attaché at the EU Mission to the WTO.
Under agenda point 1.2, the EU addressed the long-standing dispute with the United States over Section 110(5) of the US Copyright Act (DS160), expressing a desire to resolve the case as soon as possible, referencing previous statements on the matter. On agenda point 1.3, concerning the EU's own compliance in the biotech products dispute (DS291), the EU noted that its approval system is not covered by the DSB's recommendations. It reported that on 2 June 2026, the European Commission adopted a decision authorising the placing on the market of GM soybean MON 94637. Additionally, on the same date, the Commission presented four draft decisions to the Appeal Committee for a vote, covering authorisation of GM maize DP202216 x NK603 x DAS-40278-9 and its sub-combinations, and renewals for GM soybean MON 87705 and GM maize NK603 x T25. The votes resulted in 'no opinion', and the Commission will proceed with next steps for regulatory approval. On 4 June 2026, the Commission presented three draft decisions to the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed for authorising GM soybeans MON 94313 and GMB151 x DAS-44406-6, and renewing GM maize MON 87460. Those votes also resulted in 'no opinion', and the draft decisions will be referred to the Appeal Committee.
Under agenda point 3, the EU addressed the ongoing impasse in appointing Appellate Body members, noting that since 11 December 2019, the WTO has lacked a fully functioning two-tier dispute settlement system. The EU reaffirmed its commitment to reforming the system and highlighted the importance of the MPIA, referencing the ministerial statement from Yaoundé (WT/MIN(26)/30) that welcomed new members and encouraged others to join. The EU urged other WTO members to join the MPIA pending restoration of a fully functioning system.
Under any other business, the EU announced that on 15 June 2026, it had notified the DSB of a sequencing agreement with Indonesia in dispute DS593, which ensures proper procedural steps under the Dispute Settlement Understanding while preserving Indonesia's rights under Article 22. The agreement also allows for appeal arbitration in compliance proceedings, and the Article 22.6 sanctions arbitration will be suspended accordingly. The EU stated it would keep the DSB informed and is willing to engage bilaterally with Malaysia.
pressing for multilateral dispute settlement reform while advancing its domestic regulatory processes on GM crops, which remain contentious among member states and trading partners. The repeated 'no opinion' votes in EU committees indicate ongoing divisions among member states on GM authorisations, delaying final decisions. The EU's push for MPIA membership aims to preserve a rules-based trading system amid the Appellate Body crisis, though the arrangement remains interim and non-binding for non-participants.