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GM - Genetic Modification
New Soil Association report on GM animal feed
The Soil Association has published the findings of its investigation into the use of GM animal feed. We have been shocked to find that very large quantities of GM feed are being used in the UK to produce our food. Around 60% of the maize and 30% of the soya is GM in the feed used by dairy and pig farmers. This means that most of the non-organic milk, dairy products and pork being sold in the UK is from GM-fed animals.
Despite the non-GM policies of the supermarkets, all supermarkets are widely allowing the use of GM feed, except for their fresh own-label chicken, turkey and eggs which are produced from non-GM feed. Due to a loophole in the law, none of this food is labelled as 'GM' so it is difficult to avoid. M&S, however, is far ahead of the others as all of their milk and fresh meat is from non-GM fed animals; but even they are not requiring non-GM feed for their frozen and processed products. At the moment, 'organic' is the only food type which prohibits GM feed.
New scientific evidence, reviewed in the report, shows that small amounts of GM DNA end up in milk and animal tissues of GM-fed animals, contrary to the assurances from the Food Standards Agency. In addition, at least 13 animal feeding trials now show a range of alarming health effects in animals fed GM: lesions in the gut, toxic effects in body organs, unexplained deaths and stunted growth in their offspring. We firmly believe that GM-fed animals should not be used to produce our food - do you?
Actions you can take to stop the use of GM in animal feed:
- Ask your supermarket, favourite food companies, restaurants and farmers’ market to use only non-GM fed animals
» contact details for the main UK supermarkets
Please write or telephone them to ask them to not use GM-feed from all their food. Please send us copies of any replies you receive:
- Buy foods from non-GM fed animals
Organic food production does not allow animals to be fed on any GM feed. For non-organic foods, follow these guidelines:
Milk: Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s ‘Farm Promise’ milk (in some stores) are from non-GM fed animals.
Eggs: Choose any own-label supermarket eggs (except Iceland);the egg brands, ‘Woodland, ‘Corn Gold’, ‘Columbus omega-3 rich’, and ‘Church and Manor’ duck eggs. Avoid eggs from other brands and from independent retailers unless they are actually labelled as produced without GM feed.
Chicken and turkey: Choose any supermarket own-label fresh meat (except Iceland); frozen own-label chicken in Sainsbury’s and Morrisons; frozen own-label turkey in Morrisons; Lloyd Maunder products.
Pork, beef and lamb: Choose fresh meat from Marks & Spencer; beef- or pork-containing products in Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference range; lamb or beef that is labelled as only fed on grass.
Processed meat and dairy products: Organic is the only general non-GM option for processed meat and dairy products such as yoghurt, cheese, butter, cream, ice cream, frozen meat, bacon, ham, sausages, meat pies, corned beef and ready meals.
- Join our email activists
Get involved, and help us to make a change to issues such as GMOs. Join our free email bulletin of action you can make to make a difference. Simply register with us and select 'send me organic news email digests'.
Brits say 'No' to GM as the Soil Association asks Government: 'keep your promise'
» Read the press release
GM links
» find out what other organisations are doing to stop GM food
More information:
» Seeds of doubt - the truth about GM in America
» Technical information: list of detailed facts sheets, research papers, evidence and more...
» Read more about GM including articles and press releases...
Key information sheets
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