Under the Microscope

Genetically Modified Maize

Maize is one of the most important cereal crops in the World. Maize, its derivatives and by-products are used extensively in the animal feed and food industries. In human foods, it is widely used as starch in many products, in breakfast cereals and is a key ingredient in the distilling industry. Some of its by-products, e.g. maize gluten and maize distillers, are an important source of nutrients in the feeding of most species. This is particularly the case for ruminants in this country.

Genetically modified maize is a new variety of maize, pioneered in the United States to increase yield and improve the crop's resistance to pests. Particularly, this new strain is increasingly resistant to the European Corn Borer, a pest which has previously been very difficult to control through the application of pesticides. Modifying the maize plant's genetic constituents has brought a number of beneficial results, including

Processed by-products of maize, such as maize gluten feed, derived from genetically modified plants are indistinguishable in composition, nutrient and physical appearance from those made using conventional maize. Regulatory authorities in the USA, Canada and a number of other countries have carried out numerous tests and assessments which have shown that the new material is safe before giving their approval for cultivation and sale. In this country, MAFF has advised the industry that the use of maize gluten feed and other similarly processed material is both legal and safe for use in animal feedstuffs.

For further developments in news concerning genetically modified maize products, watch this space!

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