Feed without GMO-content
Level: Spearhead
Purchasing organisations that wish to contribute to restriction of the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture can require animals to be fed feed that does not contain GMOs.
Details
- Type:
- Technical specification
- ID:
- 10422:3
- Group:
- Milk and dairy from cows
- Swedish:
Criterion text
Products of animal origin shall come from animals that have not eaten feed consisting of, containing or produced from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) during the rearing period.
Traces of permitted GMOs1 may only be present in a proportion not exceeding 0.9 per cent for each individual raw material, provided that the presence is unintentional or technically unavoidable.
1“Permitted GMOs” refers to GMOs approved in accordance with Directive 2001/18/EC and included in the European Commission’s list of GMOs approved for human consumption.
Verification
The supplier shall be able to provide one of the following on request, for example:
- Valid licence/certificate for any of the following labels/certifications or equivalent certification
- Certification for feed: Pro Terra or other certification demonstrating compliance with the requirement.
- Certification for food products:
- IP Sigillig certification
- VLOG “Ohne Gentechnik” [Without genetic engineering] or other certification indicating compliance with the requirement.
- RTRS Non-GMO Standard for Producers
- Svensk Fågel
- Other documentation indicating compliance with the requirement, for example a Food Chain Information (FCI) declaration via the slaughterhouse.
Proposed follow-up
Follow-up during the contract period is possible by carrying out a spot check on one or more occasions, for example. Spot checks can be carried out on product where the requirement has been defined.
Certification for food products and feeds
If the requirement has been verified by means of a certification, follow-up is possible by checking that there is a valid certificate for the food or feed. This is checked on the website of the relevant labelling organisation, such as Pro Terra, Sigill, Ohne Gentechnik (VLOG), RTRS Non-GMO or Svensk fågel.
Information about the criterion
Note that organic production does not permit GMOs, which means that Requirement ID 10422 is not necessary when an organic product is requested. An organic product shall not have to prove that the requirement for GMO content is met in addition to the organic certification.
Note that the market availability of products that fulfil criteria at spearhead level may be very limited. A market analysis needs to ensure availability before the requirement is defined.
Motive
Genetic engineering is a controversial technology. This is why the EU imposes strict requirements on labelling, and on which GMOs can be placed on the market. Soya, maize, oilseed rape and cotton are the most common genetically modified crops. GMOs as food are not available to any great extent on the European market at present, present but are mainly found in feed for the production of animal products. This can be requested for procuring organisations that have taken a stance against GMOs.
The Swedish Board of Agriculture provides further information about genetically modified food.
Versions history
The version date indicates when the sustainability criterion was created or last updated. Last reviewed dated tells when we last checked that the sustainability criterion still is relevant.
- Current ID
- 10422:3
- Version date
- 2023-04-18
2023-04-18, Krav ID 10422:3: Requirement text has been updated to harmonize with EU regulation. Updated proposal of evicence. 2020-03-25: Changed name from GMO-free feed. Also changed from "free from" to without content in the text. Added "ohne gentechnik" in verification.2016-12-19: Changed type from award criterion to technical specification