A bill to introduce labelling on food containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the US will not affect Ornua products, the company has confirmed.

Food containing GMOs in the US will be labelled ‘BE’ (bioengineered), under a proposal that was put forward by the US Department of Agriculture on 3 May.

“The proposal from the USDA exempts milk products derived from animals that are fed GM crops and, therefore, we will not be subject to food labelling laws under this proposal,” Ornua stated.

The discussion around GM-free products has been ongoing in the dairy community, with Ornua’s German CEO Gisbert Kuglar, asking Irish co-ops last year to consider making GM-free butter to cater to consumers in the German market, where there is a growing trend for GM-free products.

However, Irish farmers rely heavily on imported feedstuffs, over 50% of which is from GM crops, and this causes issues for a potential Irish GM-free market.

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