Animal feed costs could rocket by 25% in the next two years if the EU does
not approve a genetically modified strain of maize.
That's the message from the Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association
(NIGTA), which is warning that food production in the EU could become
uncompetitive as a result.
Ulster consumers will no longer be able to choose between imported meat and
competitively priced local meat, but will instead have to pay high prices
for local produce, NIGTA president Robin Irvine warned yesterday.
In a briefing to food processors and retailers, he insisted that a lack of
decision-making in Brussels is putting European food production and safety
at risk.
The GM maize trait Herculex was pronounced safe for import for animal and
human food, but EU approval is pending.
Mr Irvine said: "The EU and particularly Northern Ireland is dependant
on the import of protein-rich feeds such as soya and maize products, and
predictions by Brussels officials are that approval delays could mean that
feed costs in Europe could reach an increase of 25% by 2009. This will make
food production in the EU completely uncompetitive."
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