Argentina approves transgenic soybean resistant to three herbicides

The National Agricultural Biotechnology Advisory Committee of Argentina approved Dow AgroSciences’ transgenic soybean DAS-444O6-6, which is resistant to three herbicides, glyphosate, glufosinate-ammonium and 2,4-D. Social organizations argue that it is harmful to the environment and health.

The transgenic soybean, resistant to three herbicides, is in the process of being approved in Argentina and is already causing rejection among farming, scientific and social organizations. They allege that the approval system is "irregular"(they believe that it was based on studies of the companies themselves and was confidential). They also ensure that the combination of chemicals will be detrimental for the environment and human health. "We question the decision to approve this new soybean, but also the current approval system regulation of ‘genetically modified organisms (GMOs)’ because that does not guarantee an adequate environmental assessment or food safety of transgenic", explained Fernando Cabaleiro, from the Center of environmental legal studies (Celma)

The Center of Environmental Legal Studies (Celma) reported that the administrative steps required by the national legislation were not accomplished (public hearings and legislations 24,375 and 25,675) and have not been met, and said that a "proper and comprehensive environmental impact study" has not been completed. He emphasized on the fact that the studies of risk were carried out in reduced spaces called "agro ecosystem", an agricultural plot which does not take into account the coexistence with the adjoining environment nor the effects of agrochemicals in the neighboring fields.
The Center of Environmental Legal Studies (Celma) submitted a contest before the Ministry of Agriculture, demanding public hearings and a proper environmental impact assessment.

The GMO approval in Argentina is based on studies submitted by the companies themselves. Lawyer Cabaleiro claimed that these studies (especially those that assure the supposed environmental and food safety) are public to be evaluated by scientists and institutions unrelated to the companies.

The way to approve transgenic and the advance of the agricultural border are also questioned by the majority of family farming organizations    

The objections of the new soybean were also joined by The Network for Transgenic free Latin America (Rallt), the campaign “Stop Fumigating Us” and the Biodiversity Alliance.

Organizations agree with the criticisms of the Celma (lack of citizen participation and lies on the environmental studies) and even soybean producers alert: "By adopting a crop resistant to 2,4-D, it will be very difficult to place the grains in the markets due to the rejection of the consumers in the rest of the world for this type of crop".