Bayer CropScience receives Argentina’s approval for Liberty Link Soybeans

Bayer CropScience has received the final approval for its herbicide tolerant soybean technology from the National Ministry of Agriculture in Argentina. The Liberty Link® technology conveys tolerance to the glufosinate-ammonium herbicide Liberty® for effective, broad spectrum weed control.

"The approval of this technology for soybeans shows a very positive and constructive position towards plant biotechnology in Argentina. This is an important step towards more sustainable and innovative solutions for farmers in that country,” said Mathias Kremer, Head of the BioScience business unit of Bayer CropScience. “The approval in Argentina is another important step towards regional regulatory harmonization for soybean innovation and trade. It further strengthens the growth of our seeds and traits business in soybeans,” he said.

Weed resistance is evolving rapidly, driving the need for sustainable solutions like new herbicide tolerance traits, especially in soybeans. The Liberty Link trait will deliver an important and effective weed management tool as an alternative to using glyphosate herbicides in genetically modified soybeans which are currently grown on 18 million hectares in Argentina.

Bayer CropScience plans to launch its first genetically modified soybeans in Argentina once further approvals for important stacked traits become available. Liberty Link will be combined with these traits and then launched in the forthcoming years.