Discuss this articleShare your views with other visitors, and read what they have to say
Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva issued an executive order on 14 October allowing Brazilian farmers to legally plant genetically modified (GM) soy until January 2006. The government had hoped to avoid issuing what is the third provisional permit for GM plantings (after similar orders were given in 2002 and 2003), but the Biosafety Bill, which would allow the legal planting of GM crops, had not been approved by the legislature in time for farmers currently in the midst of planting their crop (see BRIDGES Trade BioRes, 23 September 2004). The Brazilian Senate recently passed the bill in an amended form after months of debate, but changes made to the bill in the Upper House means it will have to be voted on again in the Lower House.
Experts estimate about 30 percent of Brazil’s soy is grown with GM seeds. The figure is thought to be closer to 90 percent in Brazil’s southernmost state, where the seeds were first introduced in the 1990s after being smuggled in from Argentina. The executive order was widely seen as a victory for agriculture biotechnology giant Monsanto, which needed the order to collect royalties from Brazilian farmers who use smuggled versions of the company’s popular Roundup Ready seeds to cut production costs.
“Brazil’s president OKs genetically modified soy,” AP, 18 October 2004; “Lula’s Executive Order clears way for Brazil 2004/05 GM soy,” Agência Estado, 15 October 2004; ” Order allows Brazilian farmers to produce genetically modified soy just as planting starts,” AP, 15 October 2004.
Add a comment
Enter your details and a comment below, then click Submit Comment. We’ll review and publish the best comments.