Ukraine Customs prevented GE soybeans import

Ukrainian customs officers prevented the illegal import of GE soybeans worth UAH 2.4 mln into the customs territory of Ukraine in mid-May.

On 14 May, at the initiative of the State Customs Service's Coordination and Monitoring Customs Office together with the Kyiv Customs of the State Customs Service conducted an inspection of goods 'soybeans for industrial processing' with a total volume of 128.83 t at the customs post Korosten.

"The inspection included sampling and examination. As per the conclusion of an authorized laboratory, genetically engineered soybean DNA was detected in the samples of the goods," the report reads.

The State Customs Service announced that shipping documents containing false information on the genetic composition and bearing signs of forgery had been submitted as the basis for the movement of goods.

"Now the customs body is conducting additional checks in order to prevent the cases of illegal import of commodities containing GMO into the customs territory of Ukraine. Law-enforcement agencies have been notified about this situation," the customs says in a statement.

In early December 2020, USDA reported that the share of GE soybean in Ukraine is 50-65%.

As of 28 May, soybean planting in Ukraine was 87% completed.

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