Porto Alegre, 9/17/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Brazil is on the eve of the soybean planting season (it officially begins on October 1). In Rio Grande do Sul farmers say they will be planting a genetically modified (GM) strain known as "Roundup Ready" even though GM crops remain illegal in Brazil. Further complicating the situation, the multinational Monsanto, which developed the Roundup Ready seeds, has placed ads in local newspapers warning that it will demand royalty payments when the crop is sold.

In response, the president of the Rio Grande do Sul Agricultural Federation, Ezidio Pinheiro, declared that GM soybean seeds have been planted in the state for five years and there is no reason for farmers to pay Monsanto anything. The only payments Monsanto has a right to, says Pinheiro, are for seed purchases. (AB)