Despite months of discussions, EU approval of the Herculex Root Worm
(HXRW) GM-maize variety has yet to be passed, resulting in continuing
restrictions on imports of US maize gluten.
The situation will not be resolved before the onset of winter feeding,
so livestock farmers are being urged by to act promptly to secure stocks of
alternatives, such as UK distillers feeds.

?Although these restrictions were in place at the end of last year,
some shipments of US distillers? products and maize gluten did get through
in early 2007, and shippers had plenty of stock already in store,? said Neil
Woolf of Trident.

?Combined with good supplies of alternatives from within the UK, and
an early start to spring, most livestock producers managed to secure
sufficient cover to see out the winter.?

The current position, however, appears significantly worse as the EU
body responsible for overseeing food safety issues will not meet for
deliberation again for at least another two months

As a result, maize gluten stocks in port are now virtually
non-existent, with prices around ?110-120 per tonne (ex-port) if supplies
can be found at all, said Mr Woolf.

And although shippers may still be able to procure isolated vessels
that meet the required standards, import volumes will be insignificant
compared to normal levels of demand.

?At least in the UK we have a good range of alternatives, with
co-products like distillers wheat, barley and maize pellets still readily
available,? said Mr Woolf.

?The challenge is that extra demand caused by a lack of gluten and
rising cereal prices will mean early booking of these alternatives will be
essential if farmers want to secure enough to cover the entire winter.

?In Ireland, the situation is more of a challenge, with an annual
consumption of around 400,000 tonnes of maize gluten and a much smaller
human food and drink industry incapable of filling the void with
co-products.?


[www.farmersguardian.com]