November 10,2003

New Development In Battle Surrounding Transgenic Soya In Brazil
 

There has been a new twist in the battle surrounding transgenic soya.

Following the approval by Brazil's federal authorities to plant and sell genetically modified (GM) beans until the end of next year, the southern state of Parana has said it intends to remain a GM-free trade zone.

Governor Roberto Requiao argued that there is a strong market demand for certified non-GM soy in Europe and China, and has singled out Monsanto as the main beneficiary of the legalisation of transgenic soya. Hundreds of trucks were blocked at the state border, where every soy shipment bound to the port of Paranagua was checked for GM content.

To add to the confusion, tests showed that some of the grain (imported from Paraguay) already in the port warehouses was GM-contaminated.