June 7, 2022

 

Brazil testing genetically modified wheat

 

 

An official from Brazilian state crop research agency Embrapa said they are testing a variety of genetically modified wheat that is drought resistant, as the country aims to become more self-sufficient because of reduced global supplies for the commodity, Reuters reported.

 

The tests for the genetically modified wheat, developed by Argentine firm Bioceres, are the latest sign of growing global interest in drought-resistant wheat, as more extreme weather linked to climate change raises the risk of global famine.

 

The other major commodity crops, soy and corn, are almost entirely grown with genetically modified seeds, but because wheat is consumed directly by people rather than fed to livestock, consumers have previously opposed its use.

 

Last month, Australia and New Zealand approved the sale and use of foods containing Bioceres' HB4 wheat.

 

The crop's testing in Brazil has never been reported before. Bioceres did not respond to a request for comment.

 

According to Jorge Lemainski, head of Embrapa's wheat research, the company received regulatory approval from Brazil's biosecurity agency CTNBio in March, when it began planting wheat on test fields near Brasilia in the Center West Cerrado region, where farmers traditionally plant soy and corn.

 

In August, he said, the agency will report on how the GMO wheat in the Cerrado savanna region grows.

 

Test planting began shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, a major grain exporter, sending wheat prices to near-record highs. Brazil is the world's largest soybean exporter, but it is a net importer of wheat. 90% of the wheat grown in Brazil comes from the much wetter south. Planting the crop further north could result in a significant increase in the amount of wheat produced in Brazil.

 

According to a recent survey, more than 70% of Brazilian consumers would eat GMO wheat, indicating that opposition to genetically modified crops is waning.

 

The Brazilian government of President Jair Bolsonaro, an ally of the country's powerful farm lobby, wants to reduce Brazil's reliance on wheat imports from Argentina and increase wheat exports.

 

Lemainski said any potential commercial planting of GMO wheat is four years away, pending test planting results and regulatory approvals.

 

Attempts to develop GMO wheat in the past have failed miserably. Monsanto, a seed company, shelved plans to develop genetically engineered wheat in the United States in 2004 due to fears of rejection from foreign buyers and the possibility of test plants contaminating food supplies.

 

After grain containing a genetically modified trait was discovered in Alberta province, Japan stopped buying wheat from Canada in 2018.

 

-      Reuters