Maize

1
Maize

• Two main sources of maize used by EU dry corn
  processors
• - France (typically for snack foods, brewers
  grits)
• - Argentina (typically for breakfast cereals)

2
Customer requirements

• Customers in EU have made it clear that they do
  not want GM maize products.
• Providing non-GM has been reasonably difficult,
  because maize breeding and production is
  dominated by US, where GM is widespread. As a
  result US corn currently excluded from EU market
• Difficulties slightly less for EU grown maize
  than Argentinean sources

3
Non-GM traceability

• Full traceability systems now in place
• (nb traceability does not mean identity
  preservation)
• Systems are very comprehensive, but designed to
  fit in with other requirements such as specific
  varieties, food safety assurance

4
Typical system for non-GM assurance (1)

• Certification of non-GM seed. Check on seed
  integrity (random sampling)
• Controls on neighbouring planting, with minimum
  separation distances
• Records for plots and surrounding plots retained
• Pre-harvest PCR check on GM status
• After harvest, delivery to non-GM store
• Assurance of vehicle cleanliness (truck /
  railcar)

5
Typical system for non-GM assurance (2)

• Check on each lot at silo
• PCR check on each silo sample
• Load through dedicated conveyor (or clean down
  system)
• Sample from each ship hold for testing
• Similar procedure at port of unloading
• Customer audit of system
• Independent audit of system

6
Costs

• Specific cost of non-GM difficult to assess
  because of linkage to other requirements (eg on
  varieties, mycotoxin status), but likely to be a
  minimum 10 of basic price
• Significant amounts of testing in system
• Much reduced flexibility virtual contracting of
  supplies can be a problem if crop fails

7
Benefits

• Meets customer/consumer requirement and provides
  assurance of non-GM
• Failures are identified early in the delivery
  chain
• Problems are few less than 0.2, all (so far)
  at origin