Porto Alegre – Present estimates are that Brazil's southernmost state, Rio Grande do Sul, will plant some 4.1 million hectares with soybeans and harvest around 8 million tons. Out of that total, 90% will be genetically modified (GM). The estimate was made by agronomist Vicente Marques, a PT consultant at the Rio Grande do Sul state Legislative Assembly.

The planting season in Rio Grande do Sul runs from October 15 to December 15 and the government still has not made a final decision on the legality of planting GM soybeans. Whatever happens, Marques says the government should maintain the contract (Termo de Responsabilidade) with farmers as it permits control and tracking. This year a total of 81.000 farmers signed the contract, declaring that they were growing GM soybeans.

Agência Brasil
Repórter: Shirley Prestes
Translator: Allen Bennett
09/20/2004