BASF and Embrapa’s Cultivance soybeans receive approval for commercial cultivation in Brazil
First genetically modified crop developed in Brazil to reach commercialization stage
Embrapa, the Brazilian Agricultural Research Cooperation, and BASF’s jointly developed herbicide-tolerant soybeans were green-lighted by CTNBio. CTNBio, the Brazilian Biosafety Technical Commission stated that the genetically modified soybeans meet the standards and the Biosafety law for the environment and agriculture, as well as human and animal health. This decision will allow BASF and Embrapa to bring the new production system with the brand name Cultivance® to Brazilian farmers. Both companies are now seeking the approval for this technology in key export markets, such as China and the U.S.
Cultivance® is the first genetically modified crop developed in Brazil, from laboratory to commercialization. The approval is the result of more than 10 years of successful cooperation between Embrapa and BASF. The Cultivance® Production System combines herbicide-tolerant soybean varieties with BASF’s broad spectrum imidazolinone class of herbicides, tailored to regional conditions.
“The approval marks a new era for BASF’s plant biotechnology activities. We are very pleased to have BASF’s first genetically modified crop approved for commercial cultivation,” said Peter Eckes, President and CEO of BASF Plant Science. “Our strategy in plant biotechnology is to collaborate with the best partners to bring our superior genes to farmers. And thanks to this successful private-public partnership, farmers will benefit from improved weed control with less resource input, resulting in higher farm productivity.”
Other news from the department research and development
