Does Europe need to be more open minded about genetically modified (GM) crops?

With unpredictable, extreme weather conditions and competition on global markets, it is likely that farmers will continue to struggle to source feed for livestock production at a competitive price.

In this context, there are some sections of the industry that believe the introduction of GM crops could significantly help.

With the EU dependent on 80 per cent of vegetable proteins imported, it was recently agreed that new EU rules will allow a low level presence of genetically modified organisms in feed to facilitate imports into the EU.

Copa Cogeca, EU farming group says that without this, feed prices would have continued to rise, pushing the EU livestock sector into a crisis.

Despite this small step, resistance against GM technology in the EU from consumers, farmers and politicians continues.

German chemical company, BASF has said that this resistance has forced it to pull out of GM crop trials in Europe.

The company has said that it will continue its activities in the GM friendlier markets of North and South America.

France has also announced, this week, its intention to uphold a ban on the cultivation of GM approved Monsanto maize. Five other EU countries, Germany, Greece, Austria, Luxemburg and Hungary also ban its cultivation.

Anti-GM campaigners have welcomed this news.

GM Freeze, Campaign Director Pete Riley said: “In addition to health and environmental concerns, other basic problems remain unresolved, such as how to prevent the contamination of crops through pollen movement or human error, maintaining GM-free agricultural seeds and, critically, who is liable when things go wrong."

No risk to GM feed in livestock production

Various studies conducted in the US have confirmed that there is no health risk associated with feeding livestock GM feed. A study in 2011 looked at the long term impacts of GM diets in livestock, and found no associated health risks.

EU needs to be more proactive

A report by the European Association for Bio-Industries (EuropaBio) suggests that EU legislation is prohibiting the development of GM crops.

There are currently two GM crops (one type of maize and one potato for industrial use) approved for cultivation in Europe, whilst there are 90 in the US and 28 in Brazil.

A total of 37 GM products have been approved for import into the EU (seven cotton, 23 maize, three oilseed rape, three soybean and one sugarbeet).

Many GM products are stuck in administration, with 72 products currently awaiting approval.

The report states that it takes 15-20 months longer to approve GM crops in the EU, compared to the US, Canada and Brazil.