BRANDON – The European Union’s longtime block on genetically modified canola will likely collapse this year, says the editor of influential Oil World magazine.
The self-interest of fuel consumers and producers of biodiesel will likely reduce the EU countries’ vigorous use of the regulatory system, employed for years to keep Canadian canola out of the market.
“I think it’s very likely that Canadian canola will be allowed for importation into the European Union some time in the course of 2007,” Mielke said after a session at the Manitoba Canola Growers Association meeting during Manitoba Ag Days.
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“We see more and more willingness. There seems to be more and more people realizing that by importing Canadian canola we can better utilize existing crush capacity.
Rather than importing canola oil, the European industry would prefer importing seed to process in Europe.
Some Canadian canola oil has been shipped to Europe in the past year, but the import rules are stifling. Oil from genetically modified canola can be used for biodiesel production but is restricted from most food industry uses.
European countries, especially Germany, have invested enormous amounts in biodiesel plants. This new demand, coupled with food demand, has far outstripped Europe’s domestic canola production.
As countries in other continents also build biodiesel industries, the squeeze on oilseed and oil supplies will only intensify.
Faced with an imminent crisis in biodiesel production, European politicians are likely to stop using the regulatory system to bar imports.
“There is clear evidence that we cannot produce the quantities of (canola) in Europe that our industry requires for the future,” said Mielke.
But what of longstanding European fears about the safety of GM food products? Couldn’t Europe keep blocking GM crops forever?
“This question is no longer a valid question. We are doing it,” said Mielke.
“The major market in the future, the major commodities in the future when we talk oilseeds and oil meals, will be made from genetically modified commodities.”
