Increase in GM crops production lead to trade disruptions: FAO

With the increase in production of genetically modified (GM) crops around the world, the number of incidents of GM organisms detected in the traded food and feed have also gone up, according to a FAO survey.
"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," Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said.
However, United Nations body added that at present, there is no international agreement defining or quantifying 'low level', therefore the interpretation varies from country to country.
"The GM crop in question may be authorised for commercial use or sale in one or more countries but not yet authorised in an importing country. Therefore, if the importing country detects the unauthorised crop, it may be legally obliged to reject the shipment," the survey added.

FAO conducted first of its kind survey, in which 75 out of 193 member countries responded to questions on low levels of GM crops in international food and animal feed trade.
According to the findings of survey, shipments with low levels of GM crops originated mainly from the US, Canada and China, although other countries also accidentally shipped such crops. And the highest number of incidents involved linseed, rice, maize and papaya.
"...Because trade disruptions may be very costly and given the reported increase in the occurrence of these disruptions, FAO conducted this survey and is holding a technical consultation to try to start a dialogue between countries on the issue," FAO Senior Food Safety Officer Renata Clarke said.

Survey pointed that trace amounts of GM crops become mixed with non-GM food and feed crops by accident mainly during field production, processing, packing, storage and transportation.