Brazil’s Federal Justice bans Bayer’s genetically modified corn

Brazil’s Federal Justice banned on Thursday (Mar. 13) the sale of the genetically modified corn Liberty Link, produced by Bayer, in the North and Northeast. Now it is only allowed to be sold after studies are submitted to the National Technical Commission on Biosafety (“CTNBio”), which s the government in biosafety-related policy making.

Judge Alfredo Silva Leal Júnior, the rapporteur for this resolution, pointed out that the research conducted was not sufficient and that the two regions should have been analyzed according to their particular characteristics, as they are two different ecosystems.

“Studies were not carried out in all Brazilian biomes, nor were they comprehensive enough in geographical to allow for aspects related to the health of people and animals, and to the environment throughout Brazil. We can’t just choose a few areas in the country according to commercial convenience or economic interest for the parties who wish to conduct research into the biosafety of genetically modified corn,” said Leal Júnior.

His statement refers to the legal action taken in 2007 against the Union by organic agriculture associations, small manufacturers and the Brazilian Institute for Consumer Defense (“Idec”). At the time, organizations argued that studies on genetically modified corn were not thorough enough, especially regarding health risks. The action requested that the sale of the corn should no longer to be allowed anywhere in the country.

The judge also granted the organizations’ request to disclose the documents presented by Bayer to CTNBio for the free sale of the corn. He ruled that the commission should draft a norm on the data that companies are allowed to safeguard. “[The purpose of protecting information of commercial interest] should not deprive the parties interested, other public agencies or society in general from their right to information and participation,” he declared.

Agência Brasil ed Bayer’s press office. The company declared that they will await an official notification of any legal resolution so they can express their opinion on the subject.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira