Colombia's Ministry of Social Protection through Resolution 004584, approved  in late 2009, the importation of three genetically modified (GM) events of maize and two of cotton. Monsanto received approval for an event of maize and two of cotton, while Dupont got the go signal for two corn events. In total, Colombia now allows the importation of five cotton events, seven of maize and one event each for wheat, soybean, rice and sugarbeet.

The Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) approved in December 2009 the planting of GM blue roses. ICA said that the planting of these blue roses will be guided by a management plan that includes all biosafety measures. Production will take place in contained conditions in a greenhouse, and with a high degree of automation. In addition, ICA also approved the experimental planting of GM blue chrysanthemum under greenhouse condition. These two approved varieties are the result of Florigene`s research and development, an Australian company dedicated to the search for new plant varieties using biotechnology. The application for the experimental planting of GM blue chrysanthemum was made by International Flower Developments PTY, a subsidiary of Suntory. It is estimated that it will take at least three years before they start commercial cultivation.

For the original version of the news in Spanish visit http://agrobio.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=739&op=boletin. The English translation was done by Dr. Javier Verastegui of PeruBiotec/Peru Biotechnology Information Center..