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The European Union adopted new rules on Friday allowing traces of unapproved genetically modified (GM) material in animal feed imports, in a bid to secure grain fodder supplies to the import-dependent bloc.

“The regulation … addresses the current uncertainty EU operators face when placing on the market feed products imported from third countries,” the Commission said in a statement.

The EU and its trading partners — backed by industry — argue the 0.1 percent threshold is needed to avoid a repeat of supply disruptions in 2009, when U.S. soy shipments to Europe were blocked after unapproved GM material was found in some cargoes.

But environmental campaigners and consumer groups have accused the EU of caving in to GM-industry lobbying by reversing its “zero-tolerance” policy on unauthorised GM crops.

Some environmentalists argue that the effect of consuming GM crops is unknown and say these varieties have not completed the EU’s safety assessment process.