Industry bodies have voiced concern over the European Commission's failure to approve three GM soyabeans for import, saying the delay is already causing market disruption in the United States and Canada.
Farmers are wary of planting products not yet authorised in one of their key export markets.
Producers fear their soya exports will not gain access to the European market in the autumn due to the unavoidable presence of these biotech crops.
Applications to allow imports of three herbicide-resistant varieties are still awaiting the final green light following the usual "no opinion" at appeal committee on January 11.
The unseasonably mild weather in the States has brought forward planting decisions for soya growers, but there is a lack of legal certainty as a result of the unresolved European Union export status.
