March 1, 2007

Argentina dairy exporter says GM crops not affecting cattle trade

One of the world's fastest growing dairy exporters says feeding genetically modified (GM) crops to its cows is not proving to be a barrier to world trade.

Dairy exports from Argentina doubled between 2001 and 2005, accounting for 4 per cent of world trade last year.

Dairy Processors of Argentina president Osvaldo Capellini says Argentina's main customers are Africa, South America and Asia.

He says they are happy to buy milk produced with GM crops as many countries need food and dairy and are not concerned with genetically modified organisms.

Capellini said GMO may be an issue in developed countries but not in real world markets such as Asia and Africa.