EU confiscates soybean meal shipments over pesticide concerns

The European Union has confiscated some portions of soybean meal from three countries, citing the presence of harmful pesticides. This decision comes as part of the EU's ongoing efforts to uphold strict food safety standards.

The confiscated soybean meal contained substances unsafe for consumption, according to data from the EU's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed portal, a website that monitors imported commodities that don't comply with EU regulations.

The EC issued a notification Feb. 26 regarding a shipment of soybean meal bound for Belgium that originated from the Netherlands and was found to contain salmonella agona.

Also, Spanish authorities intercepted soybean meal from Nigeria, which tested positive for the pesticide chlorpyrifos, on Jan. 24. The EC said the border inspection post in Spain took a sample upon the product's arrival, detected unauthorized substances and turned away the shipment.

"The product has been rejected without distribution in the market and will be returned to its origin," the EC said in an email response to Platts.

Traces of salmonella were also discovered in soybean meal from Brazil, routed through Switzerland Jan. 13, destined for the Netherlands.

The EC also seized some portions of soybean meal from Argentina and Italy last year.

Soybean meal is a vital ingredient in animal feed production, and the EU heavily relies on imports from South America and the US to meet its huge domestic demand. Offers for soybean meal (48% protein content) FOB Netherlands were around $387/mt March 4.

Last year, the EU imported a total of over 15 million mt of soybean meal and over 13 million mt of soybeans, which are crushed to produce both soybean meal and soy oil, the latter being used in biodiesel production.

In light of these recent seizures, the European Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to keeping pesticides that are banned due to health and environmental risks from entering the EU through imported products.

In its recently launched Vision for Agriculture and Food Document, the EC unveiled plans to ensure that banned pesticides are not introduced into the EU through imported products. To achieve this, the commission said it will launch an impact assessment that will consider the impacts on the EU's competitive position and international implications.

"The Commission will also assess the issue of the export of hazardous chemicals, including pesticides, that are banned in the EU," the document said.

A market source said soybean meal is often imported from various countries, and differences in pesticide regulations and enforcement can lead to the presence of harmful pesticides in imported soybean meal.

"Farmers may use pesticides inappropriately or exceed recommended application rates, leading to residues that are harmful and exceed safety limits," he said.