Brazil approves GM eucalyptus trees and 2,4-D-tolerant soy and corn
Concerns mount about GM eucalyptus pollen in Brazilian honey
Brazil’s National Technical Commission on Biotechnology (CTNBio) approved the commercial production of GM eucalyptus trees at a meeting today (9 April). Corn and soybeans tolerant to 2,4-D herbicide were also approved.
The GM eucalyptus was developed by FuturaGene Brazil to be faster-growing. At the CTNBio meeting in Brasilia, there were 18 votes in favour and 3 against.
One member of CTNBio who opposes the GM eucalyptus release is the researcher at the Higher School of Agriculture (Escola Superior de Agricultura, ESALQ/USP), Paulo Kageyama. According to him, even given the reduced growing cycle from 7 to 5 years, the GM variety will consume more water from the soil, aggravating the water crisis.
Kageyama says that even non-GMO eucalyptus wastes water.
