Officials in the previous Commission at least attempted a small but overt effort to inform the European public and open minds to biotech; the current one is more hardline. TTIP Impasse over Agriculture Officials in the previous Commission at least attempted a small but overt effort to inform the European public and open minds to biotech; the current one is more hardline with EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan insisting that the EU won’t water down (e.g., change) its rules for the U.S., and Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström saying, “I am simply not in the business of lowering standards.” This may all be public posturing, but when the consumer and environmental groups hold the most political sway in Europe and they describe U.S. dema...