To define the scientific, legal and political concept of genetically modified organisms, to ascertain the proliferation of GM soybean, maize and oilseed rape around the world, to review scientific studies of the impact on the economic, sociological and health environment of using GM plants in animal feed, to compare and evaluate the economic benefits of using GM and conventional crops in animal feed at the stage of production, cultinvation and marketing.

The economic benefit analysis was made by using the 10 – 13 weeks turkey diet recipe received from one Lithuanian company raising turkeys. In order to calculate the GM and conventional feed prices in the market and make a comparative pricing analysis, one of the most popular legume crops in Lithuania – soybeans (its meals) were chosen.

The prices of soybean raw materials were received as a part of commercial offers from eight companies selling raw materials for animal feed. For the research purpose the prices of 2011 of one company trading GM and conventional soybeans were selected. The choice was influenced by the fact that only one of eight companies could supply traditional soybean meals, while GM soybean meals were offer by all the companies inquired.

Due to the limited scope of the thesis and the fact that in Lithuania only a few researches of such a kind were implemented, the research part of the thesis analyzes GM animal feed impact on the economic environment with special regard to the case of Spain. The study was carried out through the methods of comparative scientific analytical literature and statistical analysis.

Conclusions. 1. In Lithuania traditional feeds still prevail, but the market share of animal feeds containing GM crops is increasing every year. 2. The analysis of economic benefits at the stage of GM plants marketing at the Lithuanian market did not show tangible economic advantage these cultures can provide. At the beginning of 2011 the price of one ton of the traditional soybeans was 6.7 percent higher than the GM soybeans. The lower market price of GM soybean raw materials conditions a lower final price of animal feed for a livestock producer. 3. The impact of the use of genetically modified plants in animal feed on economic environment is rather revealed at the process of GM seed production and plant cultivation than at the stage of GM plants marketing. It was proved by economic researches made at the biggest in EU maize farms of Spain. 4. Comparing conventional and GM plants the latter due to the increased tolerance to extreme environmental conditions was found to produce on average higher yields. Another advantage of GM plants proved to be resistance to diseases and pests that leads to the reduced pesticide costs. These features allow farmers to reduce their costs at the process of plant cultivation. 5. Although the long-term environmental impact of GM plants usage in animal feed is not known, at the moment the European farmers gain a lot of benefits from GM technology and would gain much more if apply these technologies in full potential. The cultivation of GM plants provides farmers the opportunity to gain access to costs reducing technologies and thus to survive in an increasingly competitive environment.

Raktažodžiai: genetically modified plants, using, animal feed