October 30, 2005

USDA: EU-25 on GM rapeseed and rapeseed oil imports

Imports to the European Union of genetically modified (GM) rapeseed to produce rapeseed oil for the production of biofuels are possible. However, the import and transformation of rapeseed and all the products that go into the food and feed chain are subject to the GM regulations.

The GM rapeseed varieties, that can be imported and processed and which products can go into feed use with the proper labeling are Topas 19/2, MS1/RF1, MS1/RF2 and GT73.

All other GM rapeseeds are currently considered to be unauthorized varieties with a zero tolerance. According to the EU Oil and Protein industry (Fediol), EU rules and regulations stipulate that the presence of even a small amount of non-authorized GM rapeseed in a cargo will result in rejection of the entire shipment.

It is possible to import rapeseed oil produced from GM rapeseed varieties into the European Union. The biotech regulations for food and feed do not apply for direct technical use, such as biofuels. Though, the keyword here is "direct".

This would mean that it is possible to import GM rapeseed oil for biofuels, as it does not fall under the food and feed regulations. 

However any byproduct of the transformation process of rapeseed oil into biofuel, such as for example glycerin, that would go into the food and feed chain would have to be governed by the GM food and feed regulation. This includes labeling rules, non-authorized varieties etc.

For the full USDA report, click here.