Leading European dog food maker eschews GM
Date: 16-Sep-99
Country: FRANCE
The decision by the Paris-based firm comes after British pet food
producer Pascoe's Group Plc launched the country's first wholly organic,
non-GM dog food line last month.
It also comes amid a looming trade war as European consumers, concerned
about the safety of foods derived from GM crops, reject genetically
modified products many of which are imported from the United States.
"While we await authoritative scientific clarification, and while
faithful to our values of respect for dogs and cats, Royal Canin wishes
to guarantee the highest level of quality and security for its product
range," the company said in a statement.
It said the policy, long implemented in its most nutritious pet food
lines, would be applied to production at its three European plants. The
company is also weighing extending it as soon as possible to its
factories in Brazil, Argentina and the United States.