Allister calls for action on Soya imports
25 September 2009
TUV Leader Jim Allister has warned that unworkable EU mechanisms applicable to GMO approvals is posing a huge threat to the future production of meat in Europe. The impracticable ‘zero tolerance’ of GM traces is crippling essential soya imports, he claimed.
In a statement Mr Allister said:-
“Fischer Boel has rightly warned the Council of Ministers of the impending crisis, but the response has been minimal. A foolish band of national delegations block GM approvals, forcing protracted delay while the Commission goes through the hoops of default approval, meaning our approval process drags on endlessly. But, of even greater urgency is the block on soybean imports occasioned by our crazy zero tolerance policy on any GM traces. With the USA, Argentina and Brazil the key soya exporters, and all heavily into GM varieties, Europe is fast approaching running out of essential protein supplies. Tonnes of US soya has been refused entry because of GM traces.
“As Fischer Boel recently warned our zero tolerance approach will cut off any supply of imports at competitive prices and thereby kill off our meat production. We can’t do without soya in our feedstuff; it’s our source of protein. Yet, though the Commission recognises the problem we seem no closer to a solution because of the intransigence of some in the Council of Ministers.
“This has to be one of the worse examples of us cutting off our nose to spite our face, because when we can’t produce enough EU meat it will be substituted by meat imports fed on full-blown GM produce and the consumer won’t even know it, because our labelling laws don’t require any declaration on GMO content.
“Our pig and poultry sectors, and our beef producers, need urgent action to resolve this situation. But, with a period of further delay likely as the old Commission is replaced by the new, I fear the impact of this crazy policy on GMOs on feed prices this winter will be exceedingly severe.”
