DEFRA has called on the EU to relax its zero tolerance policy on GM soya, after farmers warned they could soon find themselves unable to import non-GM feed.
In a letter to Ministers this week, the NFU in England, Scotland and Wales, the Ulster Farmers Union and the National Pig Association warned the UK could see feed costs rise by £30million a year if the EU does not relax the rules.
Under the current rules, when even very low levels of non-approved GM material is found in shipments of animal feed to the EU, the shipments being rejected.
NFU Scotland this week said the issue had caused distortion in the markets for soya and maize, reduced supplies and driven feed price hikes that threaten livestock farmers’ viability.
NFUS vice-president, Allan Bowie said: “Having hugely important shipments of animal feed rejected at European ports because of trace levels of non-EU approved GM varieties is heavy handed and placing a huge financial burden on those who need to buy such feed supplies for their animals.
“The whole supply chain has been urging recognition and action on the EU GM approvals process and tolerance levels in imported feed for several years, with little progress.
"We need our politicians’ support in making sure that progress is made as a matter of urgency.”
Responding to the letter from farming unions, Defra said it was fully aware of the problems facing farmers and urged the EU to re-think its zero tolerance policy.
A Defra spokesperson said: “Our livestock production relies on the use of imported feed, especially soya, nearly all of which comes from GM-producing countries.
“If we did not use GM feed the cost of our livestock production would increase, and our farmers would suffer a competitive disadvantage relative to those in other countries.
“If the import of both non-GM and approved-GM soya were disrupted because of the EU’s GM control regime, this could mean a significant increase in consumer prices for animal products. This is a serious issue that has to be addressed.”
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