Bayer blasts ‘unscientific’ rejection by Mexican regulator of GMO corn permit
The emblem of Bayer AG is pictured on the facade of the historic headquarters of the German pharmaceutical and chemical maker in Leverkusen, Germany, April 27, 2020. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay/File Photograph
MEXICO CITY, Oct 8 (Reuters) – Bayer is evaluating its authorized choices after Mexican well being regulators for the primary time rejected a GMO corn allow it was in search of, the German pharmaceutical and crop science big mentioned in an announcement to Reuters on Friday, blasting the choice as “unscientific.”
Reuters reported earlier within the day that regulator Cofepris rejected the corn allow for future import as the federal government of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador hardens its opposition to genetically modified crops.
“We’re dissatisfied with the unscientific causes that Cofepris used to disclaim the authorization,” the assertion mentioned, figuring out the rejected corn selection as utilizing its proprietary HT3 x SmartStax Professional know-how.
Bayer pressured that the allow denial doesn’t have an effect on its present enterprise, noting that final yr the corporate stopped work on its HT3 hybrid corn varieties because of regulatory delays within the European Union in favor of a brand new HT4 line which the corporate expects to launch later this decade.
Bayer nonetheless criticized what it described as steady regulatory delays with Cofepris in addition to the potential of further allow denials that would have a “devastating affect” on Mexican provide chains.
The corporate mentioned genetically modified crops together with corn have undergone extra security exams than “another crop within the historical past of agriculture” and have been judged secure for people, animals and the setting.
The Cofepris press workplace didn’t reply to a number of requests for remark.
Lopez Obrador issued a controversial decree on the finish of final yr that outlined a three-year plan to ban the weed killer glyphosate and GMO corn for human consumption.
Trade associations have sharply criticized the plan and have sought unsuccessfully to steer judges to strike it down, arguing that it dangers a commerce dispute with the US. If the ban is interpreted to incorporate animal feed or different industrial makes use of, they are saying it’s going to finally hit shoppers with increased meals costs.
The deliberate prohibition, nevertheless, is well-liked with environmentalists and health-food advocates who argue that spraying glyphosate on the GMO crops designed to tolerate them is certainly dangerous.
Glyphosate was pioneered by the Roundup model of weed killers from agrochemical firm Monsanto, which was purchased by Bayer as a part of a $63 billion acquisition in 2018.
Reporting by David Alire Garcia in Mexico Metropolis;
Modifying by Christian Plumb and Matthew Lewis
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