GM Soybean Receives Go Signal from Brazilian Biosafety Commission

CTNBio, the Brazilian Biosafety Technical Commission, has given the greenlight to an herbicide-resistant GM soybean variety jointly developed by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Cooperation (Embrapa) and BASF. CTNBio says that the GM soybean meets the standards and the Biosafety law for the environment and agriculture, as well as human and animal health. The GM soybean variety will be marketed under the brand name Cultivance.

"The approval of the Cultivance soybean, the first genetically modified crop developed in Brazil, represents our country's competency in agricultural biotechnology. We are showing the world that we can deliver innovation. We firmly believe that biotechnology, applied in accordance with the principles of sustainability, brings added value to society. It allows Brazilian farmers to have access to advanced technological alternatives, resulting in economical gains whilst being more efficient in maintaining natural resources," said Pedro Arraes, Managing Director of Embrapa.

The Cultivance technology will be launched in Brazil from 2011/2012 season onwards. Embrapa and BASF said in a press release that several companies have shown interest in developing this technology adjusted to local needs of neighboring countries in Latin America, including Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay. The companies are also seeking the approval for this technology in key export markets, such as China and the U.S.

For more information, read http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-10-148