February 26, 2014

Germany to allow genetically modified soy in poultry feed

The German poultry farmers association (ZDG) recently withdrew its 14-year-old commitment not to use genetically modified soy in poultry feed as imports of non-GM soys are no longer reliable, with Brazil set  to cut supplies by 50% in 2014.

ZDG also said that the danger of cross-contamination between genetically modified organism (GMO) and conventional crops puts producer and handlers at legal risk in the EU. Germany is one of the EU's largest poultry producers, using over 800,000 tonnes of soymeal annually as a protein feed ingredient.

On February 18, 2014, the ZDG issued a press release backing away from its 14-year-old commitment to use only non-GMO soy in poultry production. ZDG asserts that non-GMO soy supplies cannot be guaranteed since Brazil, the main supplier, is likely to cut production by 50% in 2014. ZDG also said that the danger of cross-contamination between GMO and conventional crops has risen.

"The German poultry industry has made great efforts to offer poultry meat from animals raised on GMO-free feeds" but that "chicken and turkey production cannot be undertaken in Germany without use of genetic technology" the association said. "Specialised factories for the production of poultry feed require a continuous supply of uncontaminated GMO-free soy, but supplies can no longer be guaranteed in the required volumes."

Germany is one of the EU's largest poultry meat producers. In 2013, Germany produced about 1.4 million tonnes of poultry meat out of total EU production of about 12.5 million tonnes. It is also one of the EU's largest users of soy and soymeal, importing about 6.8 million tonnes of soy and products for all uses (feed, biofuels, etc.) in 2013.

Chicken and turkey farmers in Germany use about 4.1 million tonnes of animal feed annually, of which soymeal is a key protein component. It is estimated that German poultry farmers use over 800,000 tonnes of soymeal annually, a figure that is not likely to change much even if the industry uses GMO soy more broadly.

German poultry production has been a celebrated success story in recent years, buoyed by both rising production and rising consumption. The ZDG announcement is a clear signal that producers do not want to be limited to a single product type or supplier of animal protein feed.