26 July 2004

AMSTERDAM — A report claimed on Monday that the production of GM-free organic meat is almost impossible and only at extreme costs can it be ensured that animals only receive feed with no genetically modified organisms.

The Agriculture Ministry commissioned the report to determine if GM-free animal food production is possible to give consumers choice, newspaper De Volkskrant reported on Monday.

The organic sector is opposed to the use of genetically modified organisms, but researchers said meeting that demand is becoming increasingly difficult.

Animal food products often contain GM organism traces already. These originate from the internationally-traded commercial grains such as soybeans and corn. The report by the Agricultural University of Wageningen said that this will only increase as more GM grains enter the European market.

GM traces can be mixed with non-GM food via cross-pollination, during transport or storage. To prevent accidental mixes, an expensive "chain system" would need to be established that strictly kept GM and non-GM grains separate.

But the researchers also said there are no health issues for animals or humans because only very small quantities of GM organisms are mixed with non-GM food, Radio Netherlands reported.

The European Union is in favour of maintaining GM and GM-free productions alongside of each other.

[Copyright Expatica News 2004]

Subject: Dutch news