September 8, 2005

Ukraine's agriculture ministry seeks GM soy ban

Ukraine's Farm Ministry is seeking to ban the import and planting of GM soybeans in the country.

Deputy farm minister Ivan Dymchak explained that the ministry aims for Ukraine to earn the reputation of "a country which produces only clean agriculture products".

He also indicated that the ministry might look to banning other GM crops in future.

Ukraine is a traditional importer of soymeal and imported 78,200 tonnes in 2003/04 and 74,300 in 2002/03. It has imported 47,700 tonnes so far this season.

Brazil is its major provider of soymeal.