Biotech Updates

Int'l Grains Council Forecasts Increase in Spain's Grains Production in 2018-19

October 3, 2018

Spain is the biggest importer of grain driven by its high demand for livestock feeds. It is also one of the two countries in the EU adopting biotech crops. The International Grains Council (IGC) released a forecast that Spain's total 2018-19 grains production is estimated at 21.7 million tonnes, up from 15.8 million in 2017-18. Spain grows Bt maize on a relatively large scale and according to IGC, maize production is expected to rise to 4.4 million tonnes from 3.7 million in 2017-18.

"Spain is the largest grower of Bt corn in the E.U.-28 and has traditionally defended a science-based approach to agricultural biotechnology decisions," the report said. "In Spain, GE corn plantings have coexisted with conventional corn since 1998."

The report also mentioned that Spanish farmers can decide to grow biotech or conventional crops based on market conditions. Almost all feed on the market has a default label saying ‘contains GE products.'

Read the summary of the IGC report and the article from World Grain for more information.