3/17 11:32 Monsanto Withdraws Brazil Biotech Soy Application
SAO PAULO (Dow Jones)--Monsanto do Brasil Ltda., part of the giant Monsanto
(MTC) agribusiness and chemicals conglomerate, was forced to withdraw its
application with the Brazilian government for commercial planting of
genetically modified soybeans in the country, the environmental organization
Greenpeace said Wednesday.
In a news release, Greenpeace said the withdrawal follows weeks of protests
by environmental and consumer groups, including a lawsuit aimed at halting the
granting of a license to plant Monsanto's "Roundup Ready" soybeans.
"Brazil is the second biggest exporter of soybeans and remaining genetically
engineered (GE) free ensures that there is an alternative to the GE
contaminated crops of the U.S.," the statement said.
In September, Brazil's National Technical Commission for Biological Safety,
known as CTNBio, approved a request by Monsanto to produce genetically modified
soybeans.
However, the approval of the agriculture ministry, and probably the
environment ministry as well, is needed for commercial production.
Monsanto officials weren't immediately available for comment, but the company
press relations agency said that the withdrawn registration refer to the
intellectual property of the genetically altered seeds, cataloged with the
agriculture ministry. It was unable to promptly elaborate on the issue.
A local press report Tuesday said that before the planting permission for
commercial purposes is issued, the intellectual property registration is
needed.
Monsanto developed the so-called "Roundup Ready" soybeans, resistant to its
herbicide of the same name, which is widely used in plantations.
Monsanto expected to distribute seeds of genetically modified soybeans for
commercial planting by mid-1999, for harvesting in early 2000 in Brazil.
-By Mara Lemos; (5511) 813-1988; mlemos@ap.org
(END) DOW JONES NEWS 03-17-99
11:32 AM
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