Level of Adventitious Presence of GM Cotton
CT BRASIL, MINISTÉRIO DA CIÊNCIA E TECNOLOGIA
[Ministry of Science and Technology] and
CTNBio, Comissão Técnica Nacional de Biossegurança
[National Technical Biosafety Committee – CTNBio]
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
NATIONAL TECHNICAL BIOSAFETY COMMITTEE – CTNBio
EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT
PRELIMINARY CONCLUSIVE TECHNICAL OPINION
No. 0480/2004
Process No: 01200.006075/2004-42
Applicant: ABRASEM – The Brazilian Association of Seed and Seedling Producers
ABRASEM – The Brazilian Association of Seed and Seedling Producers
CNPJ [National Register of Legal Entities]: 43.633.791/0001-08
[National Register of Legal Entities]:43.633.791/0001-08
Address: SCS – Edifício Baracat – Sala 501 – Brasília – DF – CEP [zip code] 70309-900
SCS – Edifício Baracat – Sala 501 – Brasília – DF – CEP [zip code] 70309-900
Subject: Opinion on the level of adventitious presence of genetic engineering events in marketed seeds of conventional cotton.
Opinion on the level of adventitious presence of genetic engineering events in marketed seeds of conventional cotton.
Previous Abstract: 275 published in D.O.U [Federal Official Gazette] 224 of November 23, 2004.
Meeting: 83
Decision: Regarding the ABRASEM application submitted as urgent matter to CTNBio, in order to issue a Technical Opinion establishing the guidelines defining the upper limit of content for adventitious presence of genetic engineering events, which have already been approved in other countries, in batches of conventional cotton seeds destined to the marketed cultivation and in compliance with Opinion CONJUR/MCT-LMA No. 067/2004, this Committee, in the use of the attributions vested in it, and having the elements necessary to the assessment of the case now submitted, has deliberated that:
published in D.O.U [Federal Official Gazette] 224 of November 23, 2004. Regarding the ABRASEM application submitted as urgent matter to CTNBio, in order to issue a Technical Opinion establishing the guidelines defining the upper limit of content for adventitious presence of genetic engineering events, which have already been approved in other countries, in batches of conventional cotton seeds destined to the marketed cultivation and in compliance with Opinion CONJUR/MCT-LMA No. 067/2004, this Committee, in the use of the attributions vested in it, and having the elements necessary to the assessment of the case now submitted, has deliberated that:
- The upper limit of one per cent (1%) for the adventitious presence of genetic engineering events, which have already been approved in other countries, shall be established for conventional cotton seeds;
- An identification of the founded engineering events shall be required;
- The exclusion areas established according to the technical guidelines of Embrapa Cotton, where the cultivation of cotton seeds with traces of genetic modification events is forbidden, shall be observed;
- This deliberation shall be submitted to the competent organs for the appropriate measures.
At the extent of the provided for in Article 1 D, Law 8974/95, the Committee has concluded that the application meets the CTNBio guidelines as well as the relevant legislation that seeks to assure the biosafety of the environment, agriculture, and human and animal health.
PRELIMINARY CONCLUSIVE TECHNICAL OPINION OF CTNBio
Technical Background:
CTNBio has issued Preliminary Conclusive Technical Opinion,
WHEREAS
1- Illegal planting, of genetically modified cotton, is performed in Brazil;
2- A significant percentage of the supervised conventional cotton seeds shows traces of genetic engineering events;
3- There is a deficit of certified conventional seeds free from traces of genetic engineering events;
4- The farmer has already decided to plant cotton, regardless the current scenery, taking into consideration that the planting season is in advanced phase, the purchase-and-sale agreements already were signed and the specific inputs bought;
5- The prohibition of the use of legal seeds with traces of genetic engineering events, would implicate a significant deficit in the offer of certified cotton seeds for the 2004/2005 harvest;
6- Such deficit would stimulate the use of genetically modified pirate seeds, thus constituting considerable risk from the point of view of biosafety, once it would lead to the widespread disarray of the planting of genetically modified cotton plants;
7- The use of supervised seed with identified contents of adventitious presence of genetic engineering events, most of them are of about 0.1%, would provide, until the end of the next harvest, values even lower to 1% of adventitious presence, starting a legality process and allowing the control by the surveillance organs;
8- The adoption of one per cent (1%) does not constitute decision that releases the genetically modified cotton crops, but a decision that considers as seeds not genetically modified, the certified conventional seeds with up to 1% of adventitious presence of genetic engineering events. The 1% content is the value proposed by international organizations as ISF (International Seed Federation) and others.
Therefore, seeking to restrain the advance of the presence of unauthorized GMOs in Brazilian ecosystems, the CTNBio has concluded by the establishment of the upper limit of one per cent (1%) of adventitious presence of genetic engineering events already approved in other countries for conventional cotton seeds.
Once met the biosafety recommendations and measures included in the process, this activity does not cause a potentially significant environmental degradation nor it is harmful to the human health.
Jorge Almeida Guimarães
Chairman of CTNBio
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