At Voermeesters, we believe there is nothing better for your horse than pure nature. That is why we use only GMO-controlled raw materials in our feeds. After all, what are the long-term effects of modification on health, climate, and the environment? Moreover, excellent alternatives are available, at the same cost. To safeguard this commitment, Voermeesters is GMP+ GMO-controlled certified.
The abbreviation GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism. In other words: genetically modified (or manipulated) organisms. But are there organisms in horse feed? Yes, plants are also organisms. Many horse feeds contain soy and maize, and these crops are among the most frequently modified.
Modification is a collection of techniques in which the hereditary characteristics of organisms are permanently altered by human intervention. This can be done by manually cutting into the plant’s genetic material or by exposing the DNA to chemicals or radiation. Genetic modification of crops is not new; it has been done since the 1930s. Why? Because modification can make plants stronger and more profitable. A modified plant is more resistant to drought, diseases, or crop protection products. In the past, modification was mainly achieved through chemicals and radiation. Nowadays, specialized companies often literally “cut and paste” DNA structures.
When you look at it positively, the benefits of genetic modification may sound quite convincing. Humans design and create the “perfect” plant themselves and quickly too. What more could you want? GMO crops are widely considered successful and are grown and processed on a large scale, especially in the United States. In Europe, however, the situation is different. Here, much stricter regulations apply, and from the beginning there have been concerns about the use of genetically modified raw materials. The debate around genetic modification continues and rightly so, we believe at Voermeesters. Because what are the long-term effects of modification on health? On the climate? On the environment? The truth is, nobody knows. To this day, there are no conclusive scientific studies or exact data that clearly show the long-term impact of genetic modification.
For Voermeesters, producing GMO-controlled horse feed is a small and straightforward step Our parent company, AgruniekRijnvallei, already has extensive experience in producing GMO-controlled feeds for livestock farmers, with end products that are also exported to Germany. German consumers are known for being critical and highly attentive to the origin of their food and raw materials. GMO-controlled milk and eggs have been on the shelves of German supermarkets for years.
To guarantee this, Voermeesters is GMP+ GMO-Controlled certified. To obtain this certification, strict requirements are set for the use of GMO-controlled raw materials and the monitoring of them. For every batch of raw materials, Voermeesters carefully checks the quality and composition. A product is confirmed as non-modified by examining specific proteins that change when genetic modification occurs. Protein good? GMO-controlled good. In the case of soybean oil, proteins cannot be tested in this way. However, since Voermeesters only uses linseed oil in its horse feeds, this is not an issue. Carry-over during production and transport is also closely monitored.
You might wonder why this matters. The reason is that soy and maize are transported by trucks and stored in warehouses that may also handle genetically modified raw materials. Occasionally, a few kernels from a modified batch may end up in a non-modified one. In the feed industry, this is known as carry-over. According to GMP+ GMO-Controlled certification standards, the carry-over level may never exceed 0.9%. That is less than half a jar of supermarket corn in 10,000 kernels of maize, a negligible percentage. Still, because carry-over can occur, Voermeesters horse feed is GMO-controlled.
Want to feed your horse safely with GMO-controlled feed? Take a look at our product range, find a Voermeesters retailer near you, or order Voermeesters feed online via Paardenvoer.nl.
Would you like more information about GMO-controlled horse feed or specific feed advice for your horse? Feel free to contact us, we are happy to answer all your questions.
Do you have a question or would you like advice about a Voermeesters product? Please feel free to contact us. Our customer service will be happy to help you