Brazil

Increases in production of GM maize are in train, with some 9 million hectares expected to be planted in 2009/10, a rise from 5 to 39% of total maize production (1). In Parana the percentage is expected to overtop 40. For soybeans, the share remains at about 67%, varying between 55% in Mato Grosso (the farthest north), via 65% in Parana and 95% in Rio Grande do Sol (in the southern-most tip of the country).

European Union

The European Commission has approved the import of Syngenta's GM maize MIR604 for animal feed, a move that could enable the resumption of imports of soymeal and soybeans for animal feed and processing (2). Such imports from the United States for animal feed have been suspended for several months after the refusal of entry of over 200,000 tonnes were because of traces of unapproved GMOs. While the move will help to relieve short-term concerns, Alexander Doering, secretary general of European feed manufacturers' association Fefac, observed that the EU's zero-tolerance policy still created legal uncertainty: "We could face new problems ... if there are new traces of unauthorised GMOs in imports," he said.

As CropGen noted earlier (http://www.cropgen.org/article_276.html), the EU approved three further varieties of GM maize, MON88017 and MON89034 from Monsanto and 59122xNK603 from Pioneer Hi-Bred (3). Despite these new approvals, the industry associations regarded it as unlikely that EU soybean and soymeal imports would soon return to normal levels until MIR604 gained approval. Now that that has happenend we may see a resumption of normal import levels.

Around the Black Sea

The Black Sea Biotechnology Association reports that that the Ukrainian Ministry of health care has officially accepted for food use the first application for state registration of Monsanto’s GTS 40-3-2 RoundUp-Ready GM-soybeans (4). The country has also introduced labelling regulations; the report (5), which states that New regulations enact obligatory total and indiscriminate labeling of ANY food products, which from now must have a label wether “Contains GMO”, or “Does Not Contain GMO”. Those producers or retailers who do not comply with labeling requirements will be fined up to 200 minimum salary tariffs is rather confusing; it can hardly mean that ALL foods must carry one or the other label?

In Bulgaria, after the Commission for Environment and Water approved a change in the law on GMOs, the parliament is expected to allow a much wider use of GM-crops in the country. The very restrictive local legislation will be harmonised with that of the EU generally which is somewhat more relaxed (6).

To the north, state patents of the Russian Federation were issued to three Russian potato varieties - “Nevsky+”, “Lugovskoy+”, and “Elizaveta+” - genetically modified to resist Colorado beetle. The insert carries cry3A gene from Bacillus thuringiensis (subsp. Tenebrionis) (7).

Middle East

Jordan will have to go faster to take advantage of biotechnological benefits. Opening the 4th International Conference on Genetically Modified (GM) Food in Amman on November 16-17, 2009, Dr. Rawashda, director general of the Jordanian Authority for Food and Medical Advice said: "We should not remain afraid to try the technology in the midst of food insecurity. Regional cooperation is a must" (8)

Far East

In the course of a biotechnology workshop on the Development and Application of Biotechnology in Agriculture in Vietnam – Legal Framework, Vietnam Agricultural Genetics Institute Director said that biotechnology is needed to feed the country's population which will be 100 million by 2020. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Director also strongly emphasized the applications of modern biotechnology in overcoming agricultural stress, in increasing yield, reduction of pesticide applications, and the accompanying cost savings and environmental benefits (9).

Monsanto reports (10) that two more key regulatory milestones have been reached for the 2010 commercial launch of SmartStax™, the corn industry’s eagerly anticipated seed trait combination. U.S. and Canadian corn farmers are now two steps closer to being able to plant the most comprehensive insect and weed control product in the industry, allowing them to significantly reduce their refuge acres. Monsanto Company and Dow AgroSciences LLC, have received import regulatory approvals from Korea and Taiwan for corn grain produced from SmartStax™.

The food and feed safety of SmartStax corn was reviewed and approved by the Korean and Taiwan agencies charged with regulating biotech traits. These two additional approvals follow U.S., Canadian, and Japanese regulatory approvals announced by the companies in July 2009. With these approvals, SmartStax cultivation in the United States and Canada has taken a major step forward. Grain produced from SmartStax corn can now be imported to Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand among other countries.

Sources:

1. Cultivation of GM maize in Brazil increases. Agrarzeitung (17.12.09) (http://www.agrarzeitung.de/nachrichten/pages/protected/show.php?id=32915)

2. EU clears Syngenta GMO maize for feed, food imports. Reuters (30.11.09) (http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSGEE5AT19H20091130)

3. GMO approvals won't unblock EU soybean imports-trade. Reuters (2.11.09) (http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL273306620091102)

4. Ukraine officially accepts the first application for state registration of GMO. Black Sea Biotechnology Association (14.12.09) (http://www.bsba.ag/BSBA/Home_en.html)

5. Ukraine adopts two new laws on regulation of GMO turnover. Black Sea Biotechnology Association (23.12.09) (http://www.bsba.ag/BSBA/Home_en.html)

6. Bulgaria parliament set to ease laws on GM crop cultivation. Novinite (13.12.09) (http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110960)

7. Russian GM potato varieties obtain state patents. Black Sea Biotechnology Association (11.12.09) (http://www.bsba.ag/BSBA/Home_en.html)

8. Jordan welcomes safe use of biotech crops. Crop Biotech Update (27.11.09) (http://www.isaaa.org/kc/cropbiotechupdate/online/default.asp?Date=11/27/2009#5072)

9. Vietnamese policy makers endorse biotechnology. Crop Biotech Update (18.12.09) (http://www.isaaa.org/kc/cropbiotechupdate/online/default.asp?Date=12/18/2009)

10. SmartStax corn receives import approvals for Korea, Taiwan. Monsanto (7.12.09) (http://monsanto.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=777)

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