Annually-negotiated compensation from the leading dairy companies together with retailer pressure are maintaining the Swedish dairy sector’s de facto commitment to avoid using genetically-modified (GM) soy, despite concerns about GM-free supply and pricing.
Dairy company, Arla Foods, says it only has ambitions, at this stage, that more of its farmers will convert to GM free feed based on the increasing market willingness to pay the higher price required.
The EU feed sector, grain traders and biotechnology interests have hailed a decision by the EU Ombudsman censuring the EU Commission (EC) over its delay in approving GM applications for food and feed use.
There is a now a huge momentum in Germany to convert all private label meat sectors to GM free soy, said the German Association of Food without Genetic Engineering (VLOG).
Leading German retailer, Edeka, has initiated a regional roll-out of own-label chicken products certified under the German government-backed non GM seal, Ohne Gentechnik (OG).
The Swedish dairy sector, mimicking the recent statements by the German poultry industry, is looking to migrate away from the use of non-GM soy due to the costs associated with sourcing the feed ingredient.
The German poultry sector’s claim that supplies of non-GM soy from Brazil can no longer be guaranteed is untenable, said the anti-GM lobby in Germany which is holding a ‘correction’ forum in April to inform the feed industry about the reality of soy volumes.
Monsanto has denied media claims that it is pulling out of Europe – although it has said it will withdraw pending applications for four genetically modified crops in the EU.
As concerns grow for the security of food supplies for its billion-plus population, China—the sixth biggest producer of genetically modified crops—has resolved to continue importing GM soybeans to satisfy domestic demand.
Turkey’s food industry has reversed plans that would have led to a fuller exploration of genetic modification (GM), bowing to pressure from a Greenpeace campaign.
The European Commission authorized six genetically modified (GM) maize varieties for food and feed use on Wednesday after member states failed to return majority decisions for or against on three occasions.
The European Commission has approved Syngenta’s genetically modified (GM) maize to be processed for food and feed use in the European Union – which could enable the resumption of soy imports for animal feed.
Consumers think that current labelling regulation for genetically modified (GM) foods is inadequate, according to a new report from the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA).
Spanish consumers report not knowing much about genetically modified foods, but being very concerned about potential effects on human health, says a new study that suggests more policies are needed to open up the market.
