Asia softens stance on GM in animal feed amid rising prices

Rising food prices in recent years are pushing Asian countries to reconsider their position on the use of genetically modified (GM) crops in animal feed, despite public concerns. In India, the debate has been particularly active, with poultry farmers calling on the government to allow imports of GM products to support the struggling industry. High feed costs and low consumer purchasing power have hurt profitability, with projections for the 2025–26 marketing year showing a potential 50% decline in earnings, according to local consultancy Crisis Rating.

Uday Singh Bayas, president of Poultry India and the Indian Poultry Equipment Manufacturers Association, noted that GM is a “double-edged sword.” Allowing GM imports could reduce feed costs, stabilize yields, and improve global competitiveness, as many countries already rely on GM feed. However, concerns persist over biosafety, public acceptance, import dependence, and traceability costs. Bayas emphasized that GM imports should be strictly regulated and used only for feed, not human consumption.

China illustrates a clear shift in strategy, having expanded GM corn acreage and accelerated approvals of new GM crop varieties, treating biotechnology as a matter of national security. In 2025, GM corn planting reached roughly 3.3 million hectares, nearly five times the area planted in 2024. Commercial cultivation of GM soybeans, corn, cotton, and papaya is now permitted, a significant expansion from earlier restrictions that limited GM crops to just a few varieties.

Other Asian countries are cautiously following suit. Vietnam plans to use gene-editing technologies for feed crops, though its legal framework is still under development. Thailand maintains stricter controls, banning commercial GM crop cultivation but allowing imports of GM soy and corn for industrial and feed purposes, while easing regulations for gene-edited crops.

Analysts say that this “normalization” of GM crops in Asia is driven by rising food prices, frequent climate shocks, and the need for stable feed supplies. Controlled adoption of GM or gene-edited crops is seen as a pragmatic tool to stabilize costs, secure supply, and increase productivity.

Similar discussions are emerging outside Asia. In Kenya, the feed industry is advocating for GM use to reduce costs and improve access to raw materials, though authorities remain cautious. Experts note that the future of GM will depend on consistent field results, transparent regulation, and public acceptance. For now, the trend is clear: genetic technologies are moving from controversy to a policy instrument across much of Asia.

Tags: GM