November 3, 2009

EU imports of soy and soymeal are unlikely to return to normal levels despite that three GM corn varieties have been approved Friday (Oct 30), according to industry associations.

Imports of US soy for animal feed are at a virtual standstill because the EU does not permit the presence of non-approved GMOs even in tiny amounts until they are approved. Traces were detected in US consignments, resulting in over 200,000 tonnes of US soy and soymeal imports being refused entry to EU ports this summer, largely in Spain.

The EU may have approved the importing and processing of three GM corn types, but it did not include GM corn type MIR604 from Syngenta. Approval for the Syngenta is required before normal imports could resume, said a spokeswoman for European grain trade association Coceral.

The Friday decision could allow the release of quantities of soymeal blocked or retained in Spain but it is highly unlikely that imports of North American soy and soymeal will be restarted before MIR604 is authorised, she said.

The risk of incidents in soymeal imports is considered too high, she added.

Alexander Doering, secretary general of the European feed manufacturers' association Fefac, agreed with that assessment.

He said the danger of small traces of MIR604 corn in soy and soymeal shipments would be too great to permit normal purchasing.

However, Fefac believes an EU decision on MIR604 maize could be reached in November.