Argentine soybeans may be banned in the EU due to GM

Argentina is making efforts to continue supplying soybeans to Europe after the discovery of genetically modified products.

The Netherlands recently rejected shipments of Argentine soybean meal after tests confirmed the presence of drought-resistant HB4 soybeans, Bloomberg reports.

This soybean is approved in Argentina and China, but is not authorized in the European Union. The situation threatens a complete ban on soybean supplies from Argentina to the EU.

It is noted that the Netherlands is the only EU country to have rejected these shipments so far, but it is the main hub for supplying these products to Europe.

This is also important because the Argentine authorities expect to improve the country’s financial situation thanks to foreign exchange earnings from soybean exports. Last year, revenues amounted to $ 18 billion. The government plans to increase soybean supplies thanks to the recently signed EU-Mercosur agreement.

Argentine farmers and processors are now trying to isolate GM soybeans from the rest of the crop.

“We are working with our food safety authority to ensure direct transport from all farms to one port, without processors, to avoid any contamination issues,” said a representative for the exporting company.

The HB4 soybeans are planned to be localized and shipped to China, where they are permitted.

Tags: soybean, Argentina, GM, restrictions, EU