Written question asked by Countess of Mar (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Earl Howe (Conservative) on Monday, 21 June 2010.

Agriculture: Genetically Modified Crops

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what comparisons have been made between the availability of micronutrients, in particular iron, manganese and zinc, in animal feed from soya beans that have and have not been genetically modified; and whether the availability diminishes with each RoundupReady crop grown in the same soil.

Answer: The nutritional content of genetically modified (GM) products is examined as part of the pre-market assessment of GM feed, according to guidelines issued by the European Food Safety Authority and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Iron, manganese and zinc are not considered by OECD to be key nutritional components of soya for the purposes of animal nutrition and therefore no comparison has been made of their availability from non-GM and GM soya, including Roundup Ready soya.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 401; 719 c137WA
Session: 2010-12
Subjects: Animal feed Genetically modified organisms Nutrients Soya beans Weedkillers
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk