President Bush has taken the first step in a trade war with the UK and Europe over GM crops and food.

In alliance with 12 other countries, including Argentina and Canada who are both major GM crop producers, the US government announced it would try to end the EU's five-year boycott of GM products by filing a complaint with World Trade Organisation.

Robert Zoellick, America's leading trade negotiator said: 'People have been eating biotech food for years. It helps to nourish the world's hungry population.' EU officials accused the US of bringing the case against Europe to put pressure on other countries that are looking to curb GM imports.

Lisa Stupple of Friends of the Earth said: 'This US administration is determined to bulldoze through attempts by other states to set minimum environmental, social and health standards.' It appears Washington are resolute on the issue claiming the ban has cost its farmers millions of dollars in lost sale. Yet even if restrictions were lifted it is thought European consumers will prove resistant.