Biotech Updates

Brazil Approves Second GM Maize Variety

August 31, 2007

CNTBio, the Brazilian National Technical Commission for Biosafety, has recently approved the commercial release of the biotech maize variety Guardian, developed by Monsanto. The release required the approval of  monitoring and coexistence plans presented by the technology developers. The commercialization of Guardian maize still requires the ratification by the National Committee of Biotechnology, which has 60 days to pronounce itself.  

This approval brings  the number of biotech plants released in Brazil to four. Last May CNTBio approved the commercialization of LibertyLink maize. The two biotech maize varieties follow the commercialization of soybean with tolerance to herbicide, and insect-resistant cotton.    

The press release (in Portuguese) is at http://www.agenciabrasil.gov.br/noticias/2007/08/16/materia.2007-08-16.6769437960/view