The UK imports approximately one million tonnes of unsegregated soya and maize each year, mostly for use in animal feed. Over half the soya and one quarter of the maize grown in the United States is genetically modified (GM). The US soya and maize industry claim it is impossible to segregate GM and non-GM crops. The UK government says that a 'substantial proportion' of UK imports will contain GM material.
The UK public has made it clear that they do not want to eat products from animals fed on GM crops. A recent ICM poll highlighted that 77 per cent did not want to eat products from animals fed on a diet of GM.
GM is also getting into our food chain because GM crops are being fed to farm animals like chickens, pigs and cows and so getting into our milk, eggs, cheese and meat. There is no requirement for foods from animals fed on GM-crops to be labelled as GM.
However, most dairy products sold in supermarkets are still made from cows fed on GM crops. Best of the bunch, Marks and Spencer, have succeeded in eliminating GM feed from the diets of animals reared for their meat and eggs, and are working towards removal of GM feed in dairy production.
Supermarkets will only remove GM ingredients if their customers ask them to.
