Brasília, 3/7/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The Brazilian government is seeking a judicial mechanism which will allow the harvest of transgenetic soybeans planted in southern Brazil to take place.

According to presidential spokesman, Andre Singer, the planting of genetically modified crops remains illegal in Brazil, but the government has decided to seek out a judicial solution so that thousands of small farmers will not be harmed. Singer says the government considers the planting of the illegal crops a result of "omissive inspection and control," by the last government. Steps will be taken to assist farmers adopt to legislation which makes genetically modified crops illegal, concluded Singer. (AB)