Biotech Updates

Brazil Approves Two New GM Maize Varieties

September 26, 2008

Brazil’s National Biosafety Commission (CTNBio) has approved Monsanto’s Roundup Ready 2 and Syngenta’s GA21 maize for commercial release in the country. Both transgenic maize varieties are resistant to the herbicide glyphosate. CTNBio’s approval may be followed by a review from the National Biosafety Council (CNBS) and the Ministry of Agriculture to examine certain social and economic factors.

Roundup Ready 2 and GA21 join three other types of GM corn seeds that were approved by CTNBio in 2007. The Biosafety Commission has also approved the commercial release of Bayer’s GM cotton last month. Within CTNBio’s decision-making committee, 16 members voted in favor of the GM maize varieties, three against and one abstained.

Read the press release at http://agenciact.mct.gov.br/index.php/content/view/49219.html