Hardly a smooth sail
USA: Strongly opposed to labelling of GM foods. Has approved more than 50 GM crops. Driven by its biotech industry
EUROPEAN UNION: Has introduced a strict labelling system for GM foods after a five-year moratorium on new GM crops. Driven by consumer concerns
CHINA: Has the largest GM R&D facility outside the US. Approved GM crops in the 1990s. Announced a labelling policy in 2002, which the US criticised
BRAZIL: Has not allowed any commercial GM cultivation, though several cases of illegal GM soybean planting has been reported. Announced a labelling policy that was criticised by both pro- and anti-GM lobbies
PAKISTAN: Reports of failures of illegal Bt cotton crops in Sind province
UK: Has just completed an elaborate public debate on GM food
SRI LANKA: Had banned GM foods in 2001. Now contemplating a labelling system
THAILAND: Has asked China to help develop its biotech set-up. Has made noises of labelling
AUSTRIA: The province of Upper Austria has tried to turn itself into a GM-free zone. EU has rejected it
THE VATICAN: The Catholic Church has put its weight behind the GM lobby, a decision widely criticised by priests in developing countries.