Netherlands rejects Argentine and Brazilian soymeal shipments over GM concerns

The Netherlands has detected unauthorized genetically modified (GM) crops in soymeal shipments imported from Argentina and Brazil. According to Reuters, Dutch authorities rejected four Argentine and two Brazilian soy shipments containing GM soybean varieties not approved in the European Union.

The shipments reportedly contained traces of HB4 drought-resistant soybean varieties developed through genetic modification. As a result, Dutch authorities returned the cargo and reported the violations to the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF).

In response, Argentina’s Ministry of Agriculture expressed “serious doubts” about the testing methods used by the Netherlands to detect HB4 traits in soybean shipments.

The volume of the rejected shipments has not been disclosed by either side.

According to Bloomberg, HB4 soy is approved in Argentina and China, but not in the European Union. This raises the risk of broader restrictions on Argentine soy exports to the EU. Although the Netherlands is currently the only EU country rejecting shipments containing unauthorized GM soy, it remains the main entry point for soy imports from Mercosur countries into Europe.

Tags: Netherlands, GM, restrictions, Brazil, soybean meal, Argentina