Modified ingredients in nearly all our imported animal feedstuffs

MORE than 87% of the animal feedstuff shipments coming into Ireland contain genetically modified (GM) ingredients, according to the Department of Agriculture and Food.

The high percentage has caused problems for people seeking material which is not labelled as containing GM, who want to sell into certain niche food markets.

Of the 400 or so consignments per annum of animal feed that come into the country, incorrect labelling of six shipments of soya, maize, oilseed rape and cotton was detected by the Department. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food was told by Department officials that the six shipments were labelled as not containing GM ingredients, or had no declaration but, when tested, were found to have GM content. The importers concerned were written to and told that the product should have been labelled correctly.