Brazil is now the second nation in the world after Argentina to permit the growth of genetically modified wheat, thanks to the approval of the drought-tolerant variety from the Brazilian biosecurity agency (CTNBio). The request was made to CTNBio by Tropical Melhoramento e Genética, a Brazilian partner of Bioceres of Argentina. The company’s HB4 transgenic wheat, according to Bioceres, “showed higher yields than other varieties in all environments, with an average productivity improvement of 43%” in severe drought conditions. Bioceres also confirmed that Brazil had completed the safety assessment of its HB4 wheat, granting full approval for marketing and cultivation in the nation.
Sources: IstoeDinheiro/Reuters (*Translated by Ia Niani)