The EC authorised three more genetically-modified varieties of several crops – soybean, oilseed rape and cotton for use in food and feed.
the 36 million tonnes of soybean equivalent imported annu- ally that year, about 85% (30 million tonnes) was GM. For rapeseed, Bouxin explains that “what we import is mostly seeds from Australia, Canada and Ukraine and very little meal.” For cottonseed, EU imports very little overall – 6,000 tonnes of seed and 3,000 tonnes of meal on average over the last few years, according to Bouxin, so the new variety approval in March does not change anything for the EU feed industry. He explains that overall, demand has not been strong for import- ed GM cottonseed among FEFAC members since it has be- come allowable as an import. “Usually, cotton seed or meal is used in feed for cattle but this has become anecdotal,” Bouxin explains, adding that “the fact that the cotton seed or meal is GM is not really an asset. On the contrary, importing GM cot- ton seed/meal is a risk in case of the presence of a non-EU ap- proved event. Not all GM cotton traits cultivated worldwide are authorised in the EU yet.” He adds that there could be new interest in importing non-GM cottonseed/meal with the war in Ukraine and the difficulties involved with importing non-GM sunflower meal.
Big picture for GM In February, CropLife Europe released a position paper on GM crops, noting that the import and cultivation of GM crops in the EU contributes to Europe’s goals for a sustainable food system and is a key driver of safe and affordable food. The paper summary states “the EU imports approximately 70% of
all protein-rich crops used in the feed sector, the majority of which are GM.” How strong is the demand in general among FEFAC members for imported GM crops for their feed production? Bouxin says a significant proportion of oilseed meals used in the EU are imported and the bulk of that is GM, but this is not a matter of it being lower in price or not. “It is just that it has become the global standard,” he says. “On the other hand, there is de- mand for non-GM feed in the EU and this supposes costs as- sociated with ‘identity preservation’ (the careful handling of the grain along a verified chain of custody from a farm throughout the supply chain to the end user).” The other crop imported into the EU in significant volumes for the feed industry is maize, and again, Bouxin says the EU demand is more for non-GM maize. “The sourcing of non-GM maize is, however, significantly affected by the war in Ukraine,” he notes, “as Ukraine has been, for at least the last ten years, the main supplier of maize to the EU.” Looking forward, Bouxin says that FEFAC members do not have any special expectations in terms of GM crops. “What we are advocating is synchronised authorization/cultivation globally to avoid trade disruption,” he explains. “This concerns in particular soybeans, maize and rapeseed.” In Kenya, there has been a long-term ban on import of GM crops. Feed prices reached intolerable levels for many animal breeding companies over the last few months, with many re- portedly going bankrupt. Livestock farmers and breeding companies there want the GM import ban lifted.
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