The Ministry of agriculture of USA (USDA) issued a permit for a new variety of genetically modified corn developed by Monsanto Co., came after the check to the conclusion that it does not represent a significant threat to agricultural crops, other plants or the environment.

The health inspection service animal and plant USA with USDA (APHIS) announced that removes legal restrictions on corn Monsanto MON 87411, which has been designed to protect the sprouts from larvae that damage the roots of maize, resulting in reduced crop yields and has resistance to the herbicide glyphosate.

The so-called genetic trait are placed in a line of genetic code of the corn seed and can obdinyat with other signs.

Glyphosate, which, according to the world health organization, is a likely carcinogen, is a scathing weeds active ingredient in Monsanto Roundup and other herbicides produced by the companies of agrochemicals.

The decision of the service is another step in a long-term process of commercialization of genetically modified seed lines. Additional measures include evaluation of Management by the food and drug administration, the office for environmental (EPA) and regulators in other countries.

Check the EPA still continues. A group of scientists advisers management drew attention to the problem, criticizing, however, weak recommendations in the assessment of the risks of this biotechnology. One of the problems is to determine the effect on pollinators such as bees and other insects.

Monsanto is planning a full commercial launch of its varieties of SmartStax PRO product line with the feature of maize MON 87411 to the end of the decade, expecting to obtain the necessary permits regulators, said the company.

APHIS reported that it has extended by 30 days the period for comments on the genetically modified maize line developed by Syngenta Seeds Inc., division Syngenta AG.

Genetically modified corn of Syngenta MZHG0JG is resistant to glyphosate and gluphosinate - connection of herbicides, which, according to the company, will expand alternatives for farmers struggling with the problem of the increasing resistance of weeds, but which, according to critics, will intensify the problem.

As of 2014, there were 14 different glyphosate-resistant weed species and one variety resistant to gluphosinate, according to preliminary data from USDA. The risk of resistance will be present wherever herbicides are used.

Source: Thomson Reuters