Santa Clara University

The Center for Science, Technology, and Society, the Food and Agribusiness Institute invite you join us for a presentation by Mike Harwood on
 
Future Prospects for Agricultural Biotech in Brazil and Argentina
 
Latin American farmers have seized agricultural biotech opportunities over the past decade faster than anywhere else in the world outside North America. In Brazil’s case, government approvals lagged and the result was a deluge of illegal biotech seed. In Argentina, government approval was fast, but farmers replanted soybean seed without payment of royalties. The next generation of biotech traits is likely to be even more attractive to the region’s farmers, especially in tropical regions of Brazil, with various soybean, corn, cotton and sugar cane biotech traits featuring prominently. However, as varieties carrying these new traits approach launch, this will add urgency to the still unresolved conflict between trait patent holders and farmers over the issue of how to pay a levy for growing biotech crops. The resolution of this question will have sweeping international ramifications for the global plant biotechnology industry, as well as for freedom of movement for Latin America’s agricultural exports.
 
The presentation will take place on Thursday, May 14, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The venue has been changed to the Viewing and Taping Room A, Harrington Learning Commons and Orradre Library.  Lemonade and cookies will be provided.
To RSVP, please contact Eddie Lucas at elucas@scu.edu or call 408-551-6090.