December 13, 2006

Brazil considering approval of Bayer's GM corn

Brazil's biosafety agency, CTNBio, said Tuesday (Dec 12) that the group will discuss possible commercial approval of LibertyLink technology from Bayer CropScience for Brazil's corn farmers.

LibertyLink was rejected in the last two meetings by the vegetable and plant safety committee, a press agent said, because of lingering doubts on the technologies impact on local plants. Other committees, such as animal and environmental impact committees, have also yet to approve of Bayer's genetically modified corn.

CTNBio's committees will meet on Tuesday and then decide on LibertyLink either Wednesday or Thursday, a press agent said.

LibertyLink entered CTNBio's agenda back in 1998. There are no GMO corn products on the market in Brazil. Only Monsanto's GMO Roundup Ready soybeans and Bollgard cotton products are permitted at this time.

LibertyLink is an herbicide resistant corn.

Corn is the second largest crop planted in Brazil behind soybeans.