1.GM coffee in Brazil
2.Brazil enacts GM and stem cell law after 8-month wait
EXCERPT: "The regulation is very important," says Roberto Rodrigues, minister for agriculture. "Finally, we have a law that will let us progress quickly in the research and production of transgenic organisms."
The Brazilian Institute for Consumer Defence, however, says the law breaches Brazil's constitution by giving powers to CTNBio that should belong to the ministries of health, agriculture and environment. (item 2)
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1.GM coffee in Brazil
from Grounds for Change
By Brian C. Howard
E Magazine, December 3, 2005
http://www.alternet.org/envirohealth/28984/
Currently, Brazil is working on genetically modified coffee in an attempt to increase the plant's yields and hardiness, although a rollout is several years away. Research is also being done at the University of Hawaii. Resistance to the experimentation is substantial, particularly in Europe, where opponents cite environmental and social concerns. Field trials in French Guiana have been sabotaged.
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2.Brazil enacts GM and stem cell law after 8-month wait
Luisa Massarani
30 November 2005
Source: SciDev.Net
http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=2511&language=1
Brazil has enacted a law allowing genetically modified (GM) crops and stem cell research, nearly nine months after it was approved by parliament.
The National Congress voted in favour of the law in March, but since then debate within the government has focused on how to implement it.
A key issue was what role the National Biosafety Technical Commission (CTNBio) would play. Some felt that the technical committee, which is attached to Brazil's science ministry, should not have the power to authorise the sale of GM crops.
According to the presidential decree enacting the law, dated 23 November, CTNBio will still make these decisions but will only be able to approve the sale of GM crops if 18 of its 27 members agree - instead of the 14 members stated in the legislation approved in March.
For the other decisions, such as authorising research on GM crops, 14 votes in favour will be enough.
Brazil's science ministry will select 12 of CTNBio's members while other ministries will choose the remaining 15.
"The regulation is very important," says Roberto Rodrigues, minister for agriculture. "Finally, we have a law that will let us progress quickly in the research and production of transgenic organisms."
The Brazilian Institute for Consumer Defence, however, says the law breaches Brazil's constitution by giving powers to CTNBio that should belong to the ministries of health, agriculture and environment.
The institute appealed against the new legislation to Brazil's supreme court in June but has not had a response.
CTNBio will have a consumer representative, who will be nominated by the Ministry of Justice.