Poland poised to postpone GE feed ban for more two years

The Government of Poland is poised to postpone the impending ban on GE livestock feed and GE-derived feed ingredients through December 31, 2020. A draft amendment to the 2006 Feed Act, (Dz. U. 2006 No.144, Item 1045) to defer the Act’s ban on GE feed and GE-derived ingredients was approved by the Council of Ministers and the Sejm. On November 22, 2018, the Sejm approved the amendment with 383 Members voting in favor, two against, and 24 abstaining. The draft amendment continues to move through Parliamentary procedures and will proceed to the Senat for ratification. According to unofficial sources, the Senat may vote on the amendment during the Senat’s December 12-14, 2018 session.

The 2006 Feed Act, Dz. U. 2006 No.144, Item 1045, bans GE feed and derived ingredients. Its full enforcement would effectively stop most Polish soybean meal imports from South America and the United States. Since 2006, this provision has been repeatedly postponed, as Poland’s thriving poultry, pork, and feed industries continue to require soy protein to remain globally competitive. If approved by Senat and signed by the President, the draft amendment will enter into force as of January 01, 2019. For more information please see GAIN Report