Feed costs to rise if EU stalls on GM
Tuesday November 18 2008
The EU's failure to approve GM feed ingredients quickly, could lead to a serious increase in feed costs for farmers, the director of R&H Hall told last week's Teagasc Feed for Profit conference.
David Hickey said unless the EU approved the next generation of GM soybeans -- RR2 -- in time, the supply of soya products to Europe could be severely disrupted or even halted completely.
Mr Hickey has accused both Ireland and the EU of sticking their heads in the sand on the issue of GM feeds.
He added that the EU's zero tolerance approach to GM feed ingredients meant importers were not willing to risk bringing in contaminated loads.
"If any trace of GM product is found in a 120,000t cargo, the entire load must be sent back or destroyed," said Mr Hickey.
Europe is 74pc dependent on imports of soya, and GM production is rapidly increasing around the world.
Higher premium
Of the 35m tonnes of soya products imported annually, only 3m tonnes are non-GM varieties.
"It will be harder to get non-GM soya, and the price premium for non-GM product will get higher," warned Mr Hickey.
"It could destroy the poultry industry altogether," he said.
The EU hasn't approved a single GMO (genetically modified organism) by a qualified majority.
Herculex and GA21 were approved by default after more than 30 months, while Agrisure and Yield Guard have been waiting 43 months and 34 months for respective approval by the EU.
- Caitriona Murphy
