South America Calling

Brazil's Agriculture Minister Antonio Andrade will step up the lobby for Chinese authorities to approve Intacta RR2 Pro genetically modified soybeans when he starts a two-day official visit on Saturday.

With only three months to go until the new Brazilian soybean season, farmers are worried the delay in Beijing's clearance for Monsanto's second-generation Roundup Ready seeds will prevent planting next year.

Already approved by Brazilian authorities, technically the genetically engineered technology can already be used here commercially. But local farms, seed producers and trading firms have agreed to delay roll out until Brazil's main client, China, also approves the technology. The idea is to avoid trade disruptions as China has a history of turning away South American cargoes on phytosanitary grounds.

Brazil and the U.S. are vying for top spot in the world soybean market, and China is the biggest client for exports from both. In the first four months of 2013, China accounted for 76% of Brazil's soybean exports.

Brazil is pushing hard for RR2 approval. Only last month, two Agriculture Ministry secretaries were in Beijing arguing for clearance.

Monsanto has chosen to start the RR2's global rollout in Brazil and, despite complaints about the proposed royalties on the technology, farmers are keen to start using the seeds, which have the principle new trait of caterpillar resistance.

"It is of extreme importance that new technologies become available with the guarantee that farmers can sell the product," said Carlos Favaro, president of the Mato Grosso Soybean and Corn Producers Association (APROSOJA -- MT).

Monsanto's first-generation Roundup Ready GM technology is present in 85% of Brazil's soybeans, and the company expects the RR2 technology to spread quickly once it is sold commercially.

(AG)

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