FAQs Genetically modified organisms
Questions and answers
Does your company have a policy on the use of GMOs?
We are pleased to reassure our customers that our position with regard to GM ingredients for those ABF companies that supply the UK grocery trade is as follows:
Crop derived products and ingredients where we have complete control of the supply chain can be confirmed to be from non-genetically modified sources.
With other products involving ingredients where genetically modified varieties exist, our companies have worked closely with approved third party suppliers to secure future supply sourced from non-GM, identity preserved material. The supply chain in this area is closely monitored to ensure compliance.
All new ingredients are assessed for compliance with the above statements and any existing and future legislation on traceability and labelling will be fully complied with in this area.
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Does your company have a policy on the use of GMOs in animal feeds?
Yes. This policy is set out as follows:
"ABF, the UK's leading supplier of animal feeding products, recognises the considerable concern currently being expressed by some sections of the British public over genetically modified crops. ABF must balance these concerns with its primary commitment to its customers to ensure the success, efficiency and competitiveness of UK livestock production. ABF supplies a comprehensive range of feed materials; blended and compound animal feeds into all sectors of the market and offers its customers a wide range of high quality, nutritious products.
Currently the only key feed materials used in compound and blended products, which may originate from GM crops, are those derived from Soya and maize sourced from the major growing areas of North and South America. These are cleared by the EU and UK regulatory authorities. Feed materials such as Molassed Sugar Beet Feed, Brewers Grains, and Groundnuts are not affected by this, as the crop from which they are derived has not been the subject of genetic modification.
The EU and UK authorities have passed certain varieties of GM Soya and maize as safe for both human and animal consumption and ABF is confident that their continued use does not in any way affect the wholesomeness of its compound and blended feeds.
Nevertheless, the company seeks to service all sectors of the market and is seeking to establish suitable sources of identity preserved (ip) maize and Soya should its customers express a serious interest in this. It must be recognised, however, that the producers of these specified feed materials expect a significant price premium over non specified feed materials and furthermore the complexities of feed material transportation, storage and manufacturing a range of alternative feeds will add to the cost of livestock feed.
ABF, however, is confident that due to its purchasing scale, supplier relationships and mill configuration, it will be able to maintain these premiums to the lowest industry levels. This would be a similar situation as currently exists in the organic feeds market, a sector which ABF is already servicing and where the customer benefit of identity preservation attracts a price premium over standard feeds".
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