Tuesday September 1, 2009, 1:01 pm
The Evolving Situation of Global GM Markets

Fuelled by high demand and cheap production costs, many varieties of genetically modified (GM) crops are thriving in demand. Engineered to be hardier in the presence of poor conditions, stronger in the fight against disease and more resilient against the threat of insects, for many, GM crop varieties are an obvious choice.

Many critics have objected to GM food on several grounds, including perceived safety issues, ecological concerns, and economic concerns, yet the growth of this new market has expanded exponentially since it was first conceived in 1994. GM feeds were developed soon thereafter and for many countries became a more economical replacement for non-GM feed.

However, the EU has applied stringent regulations on GM feed, forcing EU livestock producers to continue buying the evermore expensive non-GM feed. Passing the buck from farmer to consumer is not always possible as domestic meat products already face stiff competition from foreign countries which accept the use of GM feed.

Many farmers argue that by the time their products reach the supermarket shelves they are already too expensive. In the money-conscious aftermath of the recent recession, demand for the higher-priced European product is further weakened.

Visit site for more; well worth the read

Tuesday September 1, 2009, 6:11 pm
Wonder how much longer the EU will hold out against the MonsFrankenSantos of the world. Wish them all the best in their battle, and feel very sorry for the EU farmers who are having to compete with NOT ONLY American feces fed beef imports, BUT NOW GM fed food from almost all world countries!

cowboss

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 8:02 am
Battle of the giants... Lets hope David will come in and destroy the Goliaths of this trade with his sling and stones..

Saturday September 5, 2009, 6:50 pm
For the moment most EU consumers who follow these issues are very chary of any changes in EU legislation. Moreover awareness in terms of organic food is growing rather fast and supermarket shelves are reacting to this. I hope this latter trend outruns the temptation to include GM in feed. I really do. On the other hand farmers are really feeling harder and harder hit; I don't know what can be done but something must be...
Thanks Karen.