October 7, 2003

Brazil's Legalization of GM Soy

The lifting of the ban on GM soybeans does not mean Monsanto's RoundUp Ready soybeans will spread across Brazil next year. The decree applies only to the 2003-04 crop, the planting of which started earlier this month, and doesn't allow for the commercial production of seeds. The government hopes a new law governing GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) will be in place by next year. But even if GMOs are freed on a permanent basis by then, Monsanto estimates it will take another two years to produce sufficient seeds to meet Brazilian demand. "There would be no seeds, even if Congress passes a law this year," said Jose Amauri Dimarzio, Agriculture Ministry executive-secretary.

Monsanto has commercial contracts with some Brazilian seed producers, including Embrapa, Coodetec and Fundacao MT, to create RoundUp Ready-based GM seeds for Brazilian soils and climate.