Are GMOs (genetically modified organisms) used in cow feed?

Due to our climate and the large proportion of grassland, Irish cattle graze on fresh grass for up to 300 days each year. During the colder winter period, when grass stops growing, animals are housed and fed mainly grass-silage, often topped up with some meal/concentrates to ensure nutritional adequacy. As Ireland has a low indigenous grain production, these concentrates are mainly imported from outside the EU and most contain about 25 % GM ingredients. Organic farmers must source feed with no GMOs. Under EU law, all GMOs must be authorised before they can be used in food or feed. GMOs are among the most scrutinised food groups by the European Food Safety Authority to ensure that any approved GMOs are as safe as their conventional counterparts. As of 2016, 61 GMOs were authorised for marketing as food or feed in the EU. These include maize and soya, which are often used in feed. Currently, only one crop is approved for cultivation in Europe (an insect-resistant maize). Therefore, feed coming from other EU crops does not contain GMOs.

Extra Information:

Farmers can check the ingredients list of any feed they purchase to determine whether it contains GM ingredients. Ingredients of GM origin will be labelled to reference the source as genetically modified. Under the Sustainable Dairy Assurance Standard, the details of purchased feeds (supplier name, herd/tillage number, date of purchase, product, quantity and any other relevant information) must be recorded in the Bord Bia Farm Book.