www.checkbiotech.org ; www.raupp.info ; www.czu.cz

Concerned that Mexico has yet to join competing nations in the development
of genetically altered food crops, the nation´s corn growers signed an
agreement with agribusiness giant Monsanto Wednesday to buy and plant
genetically altered seeds, by Kelly Arthur Garrett .
The National Confederation of Corn Producers (CNPAMM), which is affiliated
with the umbrella agriculture association National Campesino Confederation
(CNC) had been in negotiations with Monsanto for months to come up with a
plan to convert some of the nation´s corn crops to "technically improved"
seeds in order to resist plague and increase production.

At a signing ceremony Wednesday, the corn growers presented the agreement as
a plan to protect Mexico´s indigenous corn strains, as well as to introduce
transgenic seeding.

Nevertheless, the accord is certain to run into opposition from
environmental groups, which have resisted the introduction of genetically
altered seeds partly on the grounds that they would threaten native corn.

"Our position is that biotechnology must be introduced, while respecting
Mexican corn," said CNC president Cruz López. "We´re satisfied that seed
companies such as Monsanto are cooperating with the protection of Mexico´s
native corn."

Cruz said Mexican corn growers have suffered the consequences of being
"frozen out" of transgenic corn technology. He called opponents "confused"
and "dogmatic."

Under the plan, seeds that have been genetically altered will be tested
experimentally for yield and safety beginning this year.

In phase 2 next year, selected seeds will be put through a growing cycle but
will not be sold commercially.

If all goes well, commercial corn grown from transgenic seeds will be
planted by 2009 at the earliest.

López served as a federal legislator for the Institutional Revolutionary
Party from 2003-2006, when Congress passed the Biosecurity and Genetically
Improved Organism law, which he says provides the legal basis for the
transgenic corn program.

[www.eluniversal.com].