January 11, 2008

Brazil judge suspends ban on genetically modified corn

A federal judge for Brazil's three southern corn-producing states has lifted a June 2007 judicial order banning the planting of Bayer CropScience's Liberty Link, a genetically modified corn, the local Estado newswire reported on Thursday (January 10, 2008).

Last year, the Brazilian Biosafety Agency, CTNBio, allowed the commercial release of Liberty Link in Brazil. It would be the first transgenic corn allowed in the local market.

A Parana state judge temporarily suspended the approval and asked for more tests and more "bio-security studies" to guarantee the transgenic corn won't cross-pollinate with non-transgenic corn.

Federal judge Maria Lucia Luz Leiria said the states had to abide by CTNBio's decision.

According to Estado, Leiria's ruling does not mean that Brazilians can start planting Liberty Link this winter. The National Biosecurity Council, the political body that gives the final nod to CTNBio commercial approvals, still must give final approval.

Parana state can still appeal the higher court's decision, the report said.

Brazil has already planted its 2007-08 corn crop, but the three southern states also plant corn in the winter months. If the decision is reversed, and Liberty Link can be planted, Brazil may grow its first transgenic corn in the June-September winter growing season.

Brazil is not a major exporter of corn, but corn is the No. 2 crop in the country, following soy.