Brazil Seen Opening Door to GMO Crops in 2005Source: Reuters
This article reports that a biosafety bill regulating the commercial use of genetically modified (GM) crops is expected to pass a final vote in Brazil's lower house of congress in the coming weeks. Jorge Guimaraes, president of CTNBio, Brazil's Biotechnology regulator, says he believes that the bill, which was approved by Brazil's Senate in late 2004, will be passed into law in March or April. "There is considerable demand, both industrially and scientifically, for biotechnology in Brazil," Guimaraes says. The article reports that approximately one third of Brazil's huge 60 million ton soybean crop and much of its cotton crop are already planted from "pirated" GM seeds. It is estimated that GM cotton seed has now "contaminated" nearly all of the cotton seed on the Brazilian market. In anticipation of the biosafety bill’s passage, the article says that companies and Brazilian organizations are increasing their production of GM soybean seeds which incorporate Monsanto's "Roundup Ready" soy technology. The article reports that other competitive GM soy varieties, some locally developed, are also expected, as well as GM corn, cotton, and other important crops. Ivo Carraro, executive director of Brazil's Central Cooperative of Agricultural Research (Codetec) and president of Brazil's seed producer's association, Abrasem, says that four seed producers, Codetec, Embrapa (Brazil's state crop research agency), Monsoy (the local firm of Monsanto), and Pioneer, are currently duplicating 43 varieties of GM soybeans, designed for all tropical and subtropical growing regions in Brazil. Carraro says, "The ban on GMOs [genetically modified organisms] has hobbled Brazil agriculturally, undermined its advantages as a leading world producer." However, he says: "Once GMOs are freed up, Brazil's seed producing industry and its crop research industry will recover. With the strength of our scientific community, we are likely to become important in the development of new biotechnology products." The article can be viewed online at the link below. |