Fears that GM wheat is in exports to UK after it is discovered growing in the U.S.



A farmer in Oregon raised the alarm a month ago after he found wheat growing ‘like a weed’

US officials are investigating which could jeopardise the country’s multi-billion-pound wheat export industry



The discovery of genetically modified wheat on a farm in the United States has raised fears the banned crop may have found its way into exports to Britain.

US officials are investigating the find, which could jeopardise the country’s multi-billion-pound wheat export industry.

It is not known if modified wheat is in grain shipments.

US officials are investigating which could jeopardise the country's multi-billion-pound wheat export industry

Last night, the EU asked the US how to test for the unapproved wheat, saying shipments would be blocked if they contain it.

Japan cancelled a wheat tender offer. Farm ministry official Toru Hisadome said: ‘We will refrain from buying western white and feed wheat effective today.’

A farmer in Oregon raised the alarm a month ago after he found wheat growing ‘like a weed’ and could not kill it with herbicide.

The rogue strain was developed by GM giant Monsanto and is resistant to herbicide Roundup, or glyphosate.



A farmer in Oregon raised the alarm a month ago after he found wheat growing 'like a weed' and could not kill it with herbicide

It was field tested from 1998 to 2005, but worldwide opposition meant it was never commercially planted.

Michael Firko of the US Department of Agriculture said the last Monsanto field test in Oregon was in 2001. Afterwards, crops were supposed to be totally removed.

He added: ‘We’re all over this. We have nine investigators combing the area.’

About 90 per cent of Oregon’s wheat crop is exported.