December 10, 2007

Brazil government studies importing 2 million tonnes GMO corn
 

Brazilian Biosafety Agency, CTNBio, will study a proposal on December 12-13 to permit imports of 2 million  tonnes of genetically-modified corn, CTNBio press officer Pedro Bonato said on Friday (December 07, 2007).

Brazilian companies asked CTNBio to study a proposal to import the transgenic corn to be used for animal feed in Brazil.

"This decision will not set a precedent for other transgenic corn imports as decisions are taken on a case-by-case basis," Bonato said.

Brazil currently doesn't plant transgenic corn.

CTNBio's committee of public and private sector members will consider issues such as the needs of the (meat) producers, the type and origin of the crop, he said.

In recent months, Brazilian congressman have been putting pressure on CTNBio to permit transgenic corn imports as chicken feedstocks dwindle.