July 10, 2012
EU approves commercialisation of new transgenic soy
The European Commission has approved on June 28 the commercialisation of the new technology of transgenic soy that combines in a single seed tolerance for herbicides and resistance to insects, according to the Brazilian Association of Seeds and Seedlings (ABRASEM).
The said approval represents an opening of the market and acceptance of the benefits and safety of genetically modified seeds for the world, ABRASEM added.
ABRASEM is celebrating the opening of new doors to varieties of high technology seeds that offer growers benefits as well as peace of mind, and now, the guarantee that they can also export to the EU the soy produced in Brazil from the new seeds. Europe is the second main destination of Brazilian soy exports, after only China.
According to ABRASEM, the Brazilian regulatory framework is one of the most highly evolved in the world with respect to genetically modified organisms, though it regrets that the pace has not been the same in the principal markets where national production is sent. "Nowadays, companies are investing more and more in new technologies for the Brazilian market. It is necessary for the markets that are importing our agricultural production to keep pace with this movement," notes farmer and ABRASEM President, Narciso Barison Neto.
With regard to the seed, he also emphasises that it will bring environmental benefits, since it will considerably reduce the use of herbicides and insecticides by growers.
Brazilian growers await approval of new soy in new markets. The new soy, which goes by the commercial name of Intacta RR2 Pro, was approved for growing and commercialisation in Brazil by the Brazilian National Technical Commission for Biosafety (CTNBio) in 2010. It is the first variety developed from combined genes and especially for Brazil, although according to ABRASEM, its use is going to expand to other countries, chiefly the member countries of Mercosul.
The new technology is also awaiting approval for commercialisation in China, which is the largest importer of Brazilian soy. In 2011, 17.5 million tonnes of soy were exported to the Chinese market. Barison explains that the same approval that took place in Europe is expected for other countries such as China.
"In addition to guaranteeing a market for growers who have opted for the new technology, the approvals of commercialisation help to increase Brazilian exports of commodities and, consequently, to increase revenue for growers, while also contributing to our positive trade balance, making the Brazilian grower more efficient and competitive," he says.
He also emphasises the importance of regulatory synchronisation concerning biotechnology among the principal exporting and importing countries of grains so there will be good commercial fluidity between markets.
The Brazilian Association of Seeds and Seedlings (ABRASEM) represents the various segments of the seed and seedling sector in Brazil, from the initial phase of the agricultural production cycle, offering technical assistance to rural growers, through support with research and development of new varieties of plants so they can best adapt to the varied geographic conditions of the country. Founded in 1972, ABRASEM brings together 13 associations of producers of seeds and seedlings, 126 laboratories, 332 processing units, 1,200 storage units, as well as the research segment (breeders). The association includes 620 associated producers, 42,000 farmers, 4,400 technicians and 16,600 vendors, in addition to creating 1.4 million direct and indirect jobs.