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Soy trait secures first international commercial license

The Missouri Soybean Association’s high-oleic trait soybeans are being commercially licensed outside of the U.S. for the first time.

Through a partnership with Italy based Sipcam Oxon, Soyleic soybeans will be commercially available to growers in the European Union next year.

Missouri Soybean says Soyleic, developed in partnership with the University of Missouri, provides EU growers with a ‘viable’ non-GMO option to remain competitive in the food and agriculture sectors.

Missouri Soy’s Bryan Stobaugh…

“You don’t expect to see this come in many cases from a checkoff research,” he said. “You always want it to; you always want it to be able to be able to be on every producers’ field. It just goes to show you that ag communities are alike across the globe.”

He said while the EU isn’t a major soybean producer because lacking land availability, the move adds value to its supply chain.

“This just really allows them to fulfill their part and put this on the acres where soy is already grown, in the hope that they be able to move all of that meal and oil in the process chain,” he said.

Stobaugh said the non-GMO trait is a perfect fit as the EU does not allow the use of GMO crops.