Incidence of genetically modified soyabean and maize as animal feed in Egypt

As a consequence of rapid progress in agricultural biotechnology, increasing amounts of genetically modified (GM) crops have entered the food and feed chain in recent years. The aim of our study, which conducted during 2000-2001, was to monitor the incidence of Roundup Ready(TM) soyabean (RRS) and the GM maize lines Bt176, Bt11, T25, MON810 and StarLink in Egypt. With the exception of StarLink(TM), which was approved only for feed use, the other constructs were approved for use as food and/or feed in the US and other countries. Fifty one soyabean samples and 61 maize samples were randomly collected from different localities in Egypt. The detection techniques applied were based on Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using validated, official detection methods according to Article 35 of the German Federal Foodstuffs Act. The results of our survey showed that all soyabean samples imported from Argentina, and 50% of American soyabean samples contained RRS. Of the 20 maize samples imported from USA, 16 contained Bt176, 17 Bt11, 12 MON810, 19 T25 and 9 StarLinkTm. In addition, of the 7 maize samples imported from Argentina, 4 contained Bt176 and MON810, 5 T25, 6 Bt11 and 2 StarLink(TM). In contrast, all Egyptian local varieties of soyabean and maize were non transgenic