Posted: November 3rd, 2009 - 7:51am
Source: Reuters

HAMBURG -- EU soybean and soymeal imports are unlikely to return to normal levels despite the EU's decision on Friday to authorise three maize types containing genetically-modified organisms (GMOs), industry associations said on Monday.
European Union imports of soybeans from the U.S for animal feed are at a virtual standstill because the bloc does not permit the presence of non-approved GMOs, even in tiny amounts, until they are also approved.
The EU on Friday approved import and processing of three GMO maize types MON88017 and MON89034, from U.S. biotech company Monsanto (MON.N), and 59122xNK603 from Pioneer Hi-Bred, a unit of Dupont (DD.N). [ID:nWEA7968]
Some soy shipments to the EU which had been blocked as they contained small traces of the three maize types may now be freed for import, a spokeswoman for European grain trade association Coceral said.
But approval was still needed of the GMO maize type MIR604 from Swiss group Syngenta (SYNN.VX) before normal imports could resume, she said.