Brasília, 1/14/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Minister of Agriculture, Roberto Rodrigues, is going to send the Chinese Embassy in Brazil a request for speedy provisional certification by the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture regarding the genetic condition of Brazilian soybeans (that is, whether or not Brazilian soybeans are genetically modified).

At the moment a Chinese mission is in Brazil and will remain making technical inspections until January 22. They are observing soybean production in Brazil, especially in the savannah region of the Central-West, which is similar to regions in China. According to the head of the mission, Sui Pengfei, China is willing to emit provisional certification even if some minor adjustments remain to be made. (AB)