Increase in incidents of GM crops

The increased production of genetically modified crops around the globe has led to a higher number of incidents of low levels of GMOs being detected in traded food and feed, FAO reports. The incidents have led to trade disruptions between countries with shipments of grain, cereal and other crops being blocked by importing countries and destroyed or returned to the country of origin.
 

In the -, 75 out of 193 FAO member countries responded to questions on low levels of GM crops in international food and animal feed trade. The survey reveals that respondents reported 198 incidents of low levels of GM crops mixed into non-GM crops between 2002 and 2012; and there was a jump in cases between 2009 and 2012, when 138 out of the 198 incidents were reported. Shipments with low levels of GM crops originated mainly from the USA, Canada and China, although other countries also accidently shipped such crops. Once detected, most shipments were destroyed or returned to the exporting country. The highest number of incidents involved linseed, rice, maize and papaya.

Other survey findings include: 30 countries produce GM crops, either for research or commercial production or both, and more GM crops are being developed; 17 countries do not have any food safety, feed safety or environmental regulations on GM crops; 55 countries have zero-tolerance policy for unauthorized GM crops; 38 countries consider the different policies on GMOs existing between trading partners is an important factor in contributing to the trade risk posed by the presence of low levels of GM crops in some traded foods. More information is available from FAO.