November 20, 2009

Bayer GM soy gets green light for commercial planting in Brazil

Brazil's biotechnology agency CTNBio said on Thursday (Nov 19) it approved the commercial planting of a genetically-modified (GM) soy variety produced by Bayer that is resistant to glyphosate herbicide.

Monsanto's Roundup Ready soy, which is also resistant to the weedkiller glyphosate, is the only other GM soy approved for commercial use in Brazil, which legalised the commercial use of transgenic crop, according to the GMO industry non-governmental organisation CIB.

Bayer CropScience's GM soy variety will be the first rival to pose a threat to Monsanto's grip on Brazil's transgenic soy seed market.

Several GM cotton and corn varieties have been also cleared for commercial planting in Brazil.