Argentina approves 5 new transgenic corn events

The Argentine government has authorized the commercialization of five genetically modified corn events, incorporating significant innovations for the national agricultural production system. The decision was made following technical evaluations and safety assessments for human and animal consumption, ensuring that these events pose no risks to food safety or the environment. 

The authorization is the result of collaborative efforts by Conabia (National Advisory Commission on Agricultural Biotechnology), which analyzed the impact of these events on the agroecosystem, and Senasa (National Service for Agri-Food Health and Quality), which verified the health safety of the events.

The first resolution authorizes the corn event MON-87427-7 x MON-948Ø4-4 x MON-95379-3 x SYN-IR162-4 x MON-88Ø17-3, which includes and authorizes the quadruple stack MON-87427-7 x MON-95379-3 x SYN-IR162-4 x MON-88Ø17-3, as well as the individual events MON-948Ø4-4 and MON-95379-3. 

Among the novel features introduced is short stature, which enhances crop stability in the face of extreme weather events and significantly reduces the risk of lodging. Additionally, these events combine insect resistance with tolerance to glyphosate-based herbicides, enabling more efficient pest and weed management.

The second resolution authorizes the corn event MON-87427-7 × MON-948Ø4-4 × MON-ØØ6Ø3-6, which also features short stature, aimed at providing greater flexibility in agronomic crop management, and includes tolerance to glyphosate-based herbicides—a key tool for weed control in intensive production systems. 

The approval of these new events ″reinforces the National Government’s commitment to innovation in agricultural technology, providing tools that enable producers across the country to strengthen their agricultural campaigns and project higher production for both the domestic market and export,″ stated the Argentine authority. 

It is worth noting that corn is a crop that occupies an average of 10 million hectares per planting season, with an estimated production for the 2024/2025 cycle of some 52 million tons. Argentine corn is exported to South American countries including  Brazil and Peru, as well as to the United States, Spain, North Korea, Vietnam, and several African countries, such as like Algeria.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)