Brazil Ag officials don't want genetically altered U.S. soybeans

Genetic Engineering

Brazil Ag officials don't want genetically altered U.S. soybeans

in Futures World News -- Sao Paulo, September 5, 1997

OFFICIALS AT BRAZIL'S MINISTRY of Agriculture want to ensure that no genetically altered soybeans are imported from the United States. Most agree up to 2 million metric tons (MT) of soybeans will have to be imported by Brazil later this year and early in 1998--mostly from the U.S.
Some genetically altered soybeans have been imported by Brazil for experimental purposes. However, according to an official at the Agriculture Ministry's Vegetable Defense and Inspection Department, none will be allowed in for human or animal consumption.
Officials want to see how the altered soybeans behave in a tropical climate, before the possible lifting of restrictions, and this will take a year to establish. The 300 kilos of genetically altered beans which have been imported for testing have been held for two months in quarantine, officials say.
The Ministry's ban has provoked Association of Oilseed Crushers (Abiove) President Cesar de Sousa to say the restriction is "ridiculous." It is impossible to detect by examination whether beans have been genetically altered or not, said de Sousa.
The Ministry health official said inspectors will require that soybeans to be imported are accompanied by a certificate stating they are not of the genetically altered type. There is concern that without such a certificate, a consignment might be turned back.

10/7/97