Retailers' GM free policies could prove unsustainable as sources of non-GM soya dry up and prices rocket, according to reports from Brazil, a leading source of GM-free soya. Brazil's State Seed Producers and Dealers Association (Apassal) says that the country is being flooded with unregistered GM seed from Argentina, where 93% of production is genetically modified. Apassal estimates planting of GM grain will reach 45% of soy production in the country this year. An NFU spokesman said members were becoming increasingly concerned about the sustainability of the multiples' anti-GM project. He said: "More and more people are chasing a small quantity of product." Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury have been exploring alternative sources of non-GM soy from India, where the soy growers' association is keen to cash in on the growing demand by charging heavy premiums, he added. "There are doubts about the cost effectiveness, but they're making a play for the market. A big trade delegation came over last month." Monsanto communications director Tony Combes said: "It is becoming more and more unsustainable to source GM free seed and there are heavy premiums on identity preserved seed from the US." The latest report from the US National Centre for Food and Agricultural Policy revealed 63% of the US soybean crop planted this year was genetically modified. Cargill seed director Martin Douglas said he was aware of illegal planting in the south of Brazil but remained confident adequate quantities of identity preserved GM free product were available from the north for "at least 12 months if not for some years to come". "Certainly there is still a premium on non-GM soya relative to GM, but that premium has actually decreased over the last three to four months". Sainsbury said its suppliers were exploring alternative sources to Brazil although it was confident its traceability and verification procedures would ensure no rogue soya would reach shelves. {{NEWS }}