July 13, 2011

BASF forms management team to launch GM soy

Basf is creating the Plant Science management team to support the introduction of its maiden genetic modified soy seeds, created together with the Brazilian state run Embrapa,

Luiz Carlos Louzano, team leader, has the task to form professionals and gain know-how in areas as regulations, field development and quality standards.

These soy seeds have been cleared by the biotechnology commission CTNBio but the plans could not go ahead as there were globally coordinated. BASF counts these seeds, resistant to its own herbicide, to allow it to gain up to 20% of the GM soy seeds, cornered by Monsanto. It is a huge business as 80% of the Brazilian soy plantations are based in GM seeds. Plant Science is also to join the sugarcane technology centre CTC to develop a drought resistance sugarcane variety.