Gene Derived From Sunflowerseed Used in GM Wheat Variety Commercialised in Argentina and Brazil
November 12, 2024 | Source: Oils and Fats International
A new genetically modified (GM) variety of wheat which uses a gene derived from sunflowerseed has been commercialised in Argentina and Brazil, World Grain reported.
The new drought-resistant HB4 wheat variety had been developed by Argentine biotechnology company Bioceres, the 27 August report said.
After the USA, South America’s major grain and oilseeds producers Brazil and Argentina are the second and third largest growers of biotech crop varieties in the world, according to the report.
“With more than 26M ha planted with genetically engineered (GE) soyabean, corn and cotton crops, Argentina has the third largest area of GE crops under cultivation in the world,” an Argentine government spokesperson was quoted as saying in an annual report on the sector published in December 2023.
“The commercial adoption of GE crops began in 1996 with the introduction of herbicide-tolerant soyabeans and has seen unprecedented growth in area planted since.”
HB4’s approval in Argentina had raised concerns among several farmer organisations and exporters that it could hamper Argentine wheat exports in other markets, the spokesperson said.
To address these concerns, the spokesperson said the Argentine government had created an audit commission within the National Seed Institute (INASE).
The Argentine authorities had taken the view that “the biosafety approval granted to flour derived from HB4 wheat met the regulatory requirement for major market approval and granted full approval for HB4 seed commercialisation in May 2022.”