AreaBrazil
Commodity GroupOilseeds, oils and meals
CommoditySoybeans
Date01/05/2019
Policy CategoryOther
Policy InstrumentGMO policy
DescriptionAuthorized the cultivation of a new transgenic soybean variety characterized by both drought tolerance and resistance to two widely used herbicides. The varietys commercial distribution would start once approval in key importing countries was secured.
NotesFollowing last years approval in Argentina (see MPPU Oct.18), in May 2019, Brazils National Biosafety Commission (CTNBio) authorized the cultivation of transgenic soybean variety HB4. The new trait is characterized by both drought tolerance and resistance to two widely used herbicides, glyphosate and glufosinate-ammonium. The varietys commercial distribution will start once approval in key importing countries has been secured. Reportedly, regulatory submissions are currently under consideration in China, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay. In the United States, HB4 has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is now awaiting authorization by the Department of Agriculture (USDA).