Vol. 564 No. 2
130 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if approximately half a million tonnes of soya protein animal feed will be imported in 2003; if such imports are free from GMO soya product; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that such material could be produced within the country guaranteeing GMO free status. [9177/03]
Some 360,000 tonnes of soya protein animal feed was imported in 2002. This material was used in conjunction with home produced proteins, such as peas and beans, in the manufacture of animal feed diets. It is anticipated that a similar quantity of soya protein will be imported in 2003 to meet the demands of the animal feed industry. The current legislation does not oblige importers to state whether the soya protein animal feed comes from conventional or GM crops but new legislation currently being progressed in the EU will require full labelling and traceability of all GM material used in animal feed.
