Area
European Union
Commodity Group
Oilseeds, oils and meals
Commodity
Soybeans
Date
01/07/2017
Policy Category
Production
Policy Instrument
Sector development measures
Description
Launched an EU-wide initiative promoting the production of non-GM soybeans and other legume crops for food and feed. The programme is meant to contribute to the development of more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems, while taking into account growing demand for GM-free foods and possibly curbing the EU\'s dependence on imported soybeans.
Notes
In June, thirteen EU member states signed the European Soya Declaration (see also MPPU July17). The declaration supports national and EU-wide initiatives to increase the production of legume crops, notably soybeans, as a contribution to the development of more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems in Europe. Signatories underlined the initiatives potential role in boosting the production of non-GM soya in Europe and in reducing the blocs dependence on imported soybean. Reacting to the intergovernmental initiative, industry associations representing the EUs grain, oilseed and feed sector called for a coherent strategy to address the regions protein deficit. In this regard, the associations pointed out that the EUs latest proposals on biofuels viz. the gradual phasing out of crop-based biofuels could translate into falling EU oilcrop production (in particular rapeseed), hence reducing the availability of protein-rich meals. As to the objective of promoting sustainable and resilient production systems, industry representatives drew attention to progress made by European stakeholders and their overseas partners in responsible sourcing. Finally, with regard to non-GM soya, the industry maintained that the non-GM/GM status was not a criterion for sustainability and recommended that the choice for one or the other quality be left to the market.