Many GM crops are used for protein-rich feed, particularly soya and maize. Ninety-five per cent of soya used in the EU is imported from across the world. This reliable and functioning trading system keeps animals healthy in a way which is viable for millions of livestock farming businesses using, and depending on, this feed.
NFU science and regulatory affairs adviser Dr Helen Ferrier said: “British farmers, like farmers across the world, produce food to meet market demands. To do this we rely on imported feed ingredients – this has been openly discussed for many, many years.
“Food from animals fed a GM diet is not detectably different to that from non-GM fed animals. This is why EU law states that food from animals fed a GM diet does not need to be labelled as such. A ‘GM-free’ label would be misleading because it is not any different. Consumers have the choice to buy food products from animals fed a non-GM diet with the organic label.
“After 20 years of consumption, there is no evidence that GM food or feed is unsafe for humans or animals.”
How much soya feed does the EU import?
- 14.3million tonnes from Brazil
- 8.8million tonnes from Argentina
- 5.5million tonnes from USA
- 2.2million tonnes from Paraguay
- 900,000 tonnes from Canada