THE Irish Grain and Feed Association (IGFA) yesterday called for early action by the European Commission to tackle escalating prices of animal feed.

EUROPEAN animal feed producers have warned farmers that prices may increase significantly at very short notice, due to the EU’s zero tolerance of traces of unapproved genetically modified (GM) crops in imported feeds.

THE delay in the reopening of the country’s main pig processing plants led to a protest by farmers outside the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food yesterday.

TO REIN in the food price inflation of 9.6%, the Government is relying on competition in the grocery market and better consumer awareness of how to get the best value for money.

ENVIRONMENT Minister John Gormley’s statement that Ireland’s position on Genetically Modified Organisms is now in line with the new programme for Government, which seeks a GM-free Ireland, sets the stage for the air to be cleared on this subject once and for all.

Ireland: Production of animal compound feeds is estimated to have fallen by 3% to 3.7 million tonnes last year from the record level achieved in 2002, the Irish Grain and Feed Association said yesterday.