The Genetically Modified (GM) feed debate rumbles on in the EU with a leaked report suggesting that individual countries will be able to opt out of any EU agreement to accept GM feed. The reason suggested is that it is “in the interest of democratic choice”, as the current legal framework “does not allow the individual concerns of Member States to be taken into account in a controversial area of great public interest.”
The report highlights that since the issue first came to the table in 2003, “there has never been a qualified majority amongst Member States in favour of or against a draft Commission Decision authorising GMOs and GM food & feed”, while the issues raised by countries that oppose authorisations “have usually nothing to do with science, but rather concern other aspects of the societal debate in their country”. The long-awaited Commission proposal to amend Regulation 1829/2003 – first floated when the new administration took office last Nov - is expected to be tabled next week.
Unsurprisingly this suggested position has met opposition from global trading partners. Ambassadors from the US, Canada, Argentina and Brazil, the large feed trading partners of the EU, have expressed “serious concerns” about Commission plans to reform approvals of (GM) imports. Their concern basically is that it would impact international trade of feed & food and spark trade disruptions. A grand coalition of 14 food and feed chain partners have called on the EU’s executive to reconsider its draft plans to renationalise the decision making process on GM. These include the farmer and processor representative bodies to which the IFA and Meat Industry Ireland are affiliated.
ADVERTISEMENT
For Irish farmers the debate not only revolves around the rights or wrongs of GM in principle but availability of feed at a competitive price. The EU’s relies on imports for 75% of its animal feed and 90% of compound feed contains GMO materials. That leaves a very small quantity of non GM feed and with the basic laws of supply and demand likelihood is that it will be the more expensive option never mind availability. There is also a very strong view in the food industry that we can keep GM feed out of Europe at the price of exporting our food industry to countries that freely use GM feed. They will then export GM produced food to Europe on an even larger scale than at present.
Register for free to read this story and our free stories.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
The Genetically Modified (GM) feed debate rumbles on in the EU with a leaked report suggesting that individual countries will be able to opt out of any EU agreement to accept GM feed. The reason suggested is that it is “in the interest of democratic choice”, as the current legal framework “does not allow the individual concerns of Member States to be taken into account in a controversial area of great public interest.”
The report highlights that since the issue first came to the table in 2003, “there has never been a qualified majority amongst Member States in favour of or against a draft Commission Decision authorising GMOs and GM food & feed”, while the issues raised by countries that oppose authorisations “have usually nothing to do with science, but rather concern other aspects of the societal debate in their country”. The long-awaited Commission proposal to amend Regulation 1829/2003 – first floated when the new administration took office last Nov - is expected to be tabled next week.
Unsurprisingly this suggested position has met opposition from global trading partners. Ambassadors from the US, Canada, Argentina and Brazil, the large feed trading partners of the EU, have expressed “serious concerns” about Commission plans to reform approvals of (GM) imports. Their concern basically is that it would impact international trade of feed & food and spark trade disruptions. A grand coalition of 14 food and feed chain partners have called on the EU’s executive to reconsider its draft plans to renationalise the decision making process on GM. These include the farmer and processor representative bodies to which the IFA and Meat Industry Ireland are affiliated.
For Irish farmers the debate not only revolves around the rights or wrongs of GM in principle but availability of feed at a competitive price. The EU’s relies on imports for 75% of its animal feed and 90% of compound feed contains GMO materials. That leaves a very small quantity of non GM feed and with the basic laws of supply and demand likelihood is that it will be the more expensive option never mind availability. There is also a very strong view in the food industry that we can keep GM feed out of Europe at the price of exporting our food industry to countries that freely use GM feed. They will then export GM produced food to Europe on an even larger scale than at present.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS