Brasília, 6/25/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Yesterday minister of Environment, Marina Silva, speaking at the opening of the seminar, "Transgenetics and Brazilian Society," declared that the debate on the issue of transgenetic crops should be democratic and transparent, while taking into consideration the strategic interests of the country.

Silva said that the idea of an open debate is to lay the groundwork for government policy, as ordered by president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. "We want the public and the scientific community to feel safe about the decision we make. As for us, the decision-makers, we have to ensure that the decision making process is efficient, durable and transparent," said the minister.

The minister recalled that when she took office she ordered preparations for placing Conama Resolution 305 in practice. That resolution dealt with research on transgenetics at experimental stations in closed areas and the commercialization of transgenetics.

In concluding her remarks, Silva said that it was necessary to avoid being for or against a technology. "We have to follow the principle of precaution, which is specifically called for in the Convention on Biodiversity," she declared.

Also present at the seminar, presidential Chief of Staff, Jose Dirceu, declared that the government will not permit planting of transgenetic crops until the issue has appropriate legislation. Dirceu explained that the law (medida provisória) which is allowing the harvest and commericialization of a transgenetic soybean crop in Rio Grande do Sul this year, prohibits planting transgenetic crops next year (for the 2004 harvest) and that that law will be rigorous enforced, which means the soybean crop must be conventional. "We will not permit transgenetic crops in 2004," said Dirceu. (AB)