Wheat: transgenic production in Argentina could be a ‘shot in the foot’, says consultant

The increase in the production of transgenic wheat in Argentina could be a “shot in the foot” of the country’s production chain. According to consultant Pablo Maluenda, who participated this Tuesday at the 28th International Wheat Industry Conference held by ABRITRIGO (the Brazilian wheat industry association), Argentina should allocate an area between 55,000 and 60,000 hectares for cultivation of the genetically modified grain. This makes it possible to estimate a production potential of between 200,000 and 250,000 tons.

“Without a doubt, the product will be rejected by many countries and this could interrupt the importation of the Argentine product by some of them”. According to Maluenda, the transgenic crop is also a dangerous point because the restriction of the cultivation is not simple. “The seed can easily spread across the country and contaminate other crops,” he said.

The president of the OCB System, Márcio Lopes de Freitas, said that transgenics are not just a problem for Argentina. “The risk in Brazil is also great. The seed can enter clandestinely, but the Ministry of Agriculture and the department of sanitary defense will be monitoring” he projected.

Freitas said that companies that own the technology have to negotiate with the final consumer. “Only then will the product be welcome to the producer. Nowadays, he is not willing to face this transgenic ‘adventure’.

Source: Canal Rural

To read the full original article, visit the link:

https://www.canalrural.com.br/noticias/trigo-producao-de-transgenico-na-argentina-pode-ser-um-tiro-no-pe-diz-consultor/

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