Europe is one of the biggest buyers of American soya beans, importing around 14 million tonnes every year. The three main food producers for Europe, Unilever, Nestle and Danone use US soybean in many of their products. Since so many consumers are opposed to genetically engineered products in their food, some branches of these food producers have said they prefer not to use them but Monsanto are denying both consumers and producers any choice. By refusing to separate the genetically engineered beans from the natural ones Monsanto are making it impossible for food processors to refuse or label their products. On 13 November 1996 the European Parliament demanded clear labelling of GE-products and segregation of GE soya, yet there are no laws to enforce this.
Segregation is possible.
Monsanto are already collecting the seeds from GE crops to be used for future planting, and tests exist which can identify the GE soya from all the rest. With consumers increasingly demanding GE free food the food producers must respond and call for separation or avoid Monsantos tainted product. Kraft Jacobs Suchard, fourth largest food company in Europe has said that for the foreseeable future it will only use soya free from genetic engineering in its European products. Now its up to Unilever, Nestle and Danone to do the same. Normally soya is too delicate to spray once sprouting from the ground.