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GAIN Report







Voluntary Report - public distribution
Date: 10/27/2005
GAIN Report Number: SW5016
SW5016
Sweden
Biotechnology
Swedish Farmers Lift GM Feed Ban
2005


Approved by:
Margaret Thursland, Agricultural Counselor
U.S. Embassy, Sweden
Prepared by:
Asa Lexmon, Agricultural Specialist


Report Highlights:
Swedish Meats, a farmer-owned cooperative and leading meat processor, has lifted its 10-
year ban on GM feed. As of January 1, 2006, Swedish livestock farmers and ranchers may
include genetically modified feed in their rations. This policy shift was attributed to the
increasing cost of sourcing GM-free Brazilian soybean meal.



Includes PSD Changes: No
Includes Trade Matrix: No
Unscheduled Report
Stockholm [SW1]
[SW]
USDA Foreign Agricultural Service
GAIN Report
Global Agriculture Information Network
Template Version 2.09 GAIN Report - SW5016
Page 2 of 2

UNCLASSIFIED
USDA Foreign Agricultural Service
Major Swedish Meat Processor Lifts GM Feed Ban

Effective January 1, 2005, Swedish Meats, a farmer-owned cooperative accounting for about
60 percent of total slaughter in Sweden, will end its decade long ban on GM feed.

The ban was originally implemented and maintained due to the Swedish food industrys
reluctance to accept products of biotechnology and the related perceived potential for
negative consumer reaction.

The decision to allow coop members of Swedish Meats to include GM feed in animal rations
was precipitated by the escalating cost of sourcing non-GM soy products from Brazil. The
Swedish cooperative predicts prices of non-GM soybean meal will double in 2006.

Reportedly, this decision has not resulted in any negative reaction from the Swedish trade.
Consumer acceptance of products of biotechnology has increased. This is supported by the
fact that Swedish consumers continue to buy imported meat from countries that routinely
incorporate GM feed in their rations.


A Market Leader Focused on Consumers and the Environment

Swedish Meats is one of the largest food groups in Sweden. It is owned by 24,000 livestock
farmers with sales exceeding US $1 billion. Members raise cattle, sheep, and hogs. The
cooperative runs 12 slaughtering plants and employs about 4,060 people.

Animal welfare, environmental management, sustainable development and a respect for
nature are priorities of Swedish Meats, evidenced by their membership in the Nordic
Partnership, an NGO-business network dissolved in 2005, which was focused on promoting
global sustainable development.

Scan Foods, a wholly-owned subsidiary, is one of the strongest brands in Sweden supplying
food products to consumers, restaurants and catering establishments.