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From: "Dana Aldea" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Universal,Transgenic pact with Monsanto signed by growers,Apr 19 Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:53:56 +0200 Transgenic pact signed by growers Concerned that Mexico has yet to join competing nations in the development of genetically altered food crops, the nation's corn growers signed an agreement with agribusiness giant Monsanto Wednesday to buy and plant genetically altered seeds By Kelly Arthur Garrett/The Herald Mexico El Universal Jueves 19 de abril de 2007 Concerned that Mexico has yet to join competing nations in the development of genetically altered food crops, the nation's corn growers signed an agreement with agribusiness giant Monsanto Wednesday to buy and plant genetically altered seeds. The National Confederation of Corn Producers (CNPAMM), which is affiliated with the umbrella agriculture association National Campesino Confederation (CNC) had been in negotiations with Monsanto for months to come up with a plan to convert some of the nation's corn crops to "technically improved" seeds in order to resist plague and increase production. At a signing ceremony Wednesday, the corn growers presented the agreement as a plan to protect Mexico's indigenous corn strains, as well as to introduce transgenic seeding. Nevertheless, the accord is certain to run into opposition from environmental groups, which have resisted the introduction of genetically altered seeds partly on the grounds that they would threaten native corn. "Our position is that biotechnology must be introduced, while respecting Mexican corn," said CNC president Cruz Lo'pez. "We're satisfied that seed companies such as Monsanto are cooperating with the protection of Mexico's native corn." Cruz said Mexican corn growers have suffered the consequences of being "frozen out" of transgenic corn technology. He called opponents "confused" and "dogmatic." Under the plan, seeds that have been genetically altered will be tested experimentally for yield and safety beginning this year. In phase 2 next year, selected seeds will be put through a growing cycle but will not be sold commercially. If all goes well, commercial corn grown from transgenic seeds will be planted by 2009 at the earliest. Lo'pez served as a federal legislator for the Institutional Revolutionary Party from 2003-2006, when Congress passed the Biosecurity and Genetically Improved Organism law, which he says provides the legal basis for the transgenic corn program. http://www.mexiconews.com.mx/miami/24289.html -- To unsubscribe from this list send a message containing the words unsubscribe chiapas95 (or chiapas95-lite, or chiapas95-english, or chiapas95-espanol) to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Previous messages are available from http://www.eco.utexas.edu/faculty/Cleaver/chiapas95.html or gopher to Texas, University of Texas at Austin, Department of Economics, Mailing Lists.
