Argentina Approves Two GM Corn Varieties for Food, Feed, and Commercial Cultivation

On July 10, 2024, the Argentine Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries issued an important announcement, officially approving two new genetically modified maize varieties, namely DP-2Ø2216-6 and DP-2Ø2216-6 × MON-øø6-3-6 × DAS-4Ø278-9. It is permitted to be used for food and feed production and commercial cultivation in Argentina. The decision marks a new milestone in the field of agricultural biotechnology in Argentina and heralds a growing acceptance of GM crops in South America.

These two innovative corn varieties have been carefully developed by Codiwah, a leading global agricultural technology company. The DP-2Ø2216-6 variety contains the PAT gene from Streptomyces viridis, which gives it a tolerance to the herbicide phosphine oxalate, thus effectively resisting the interference of weeds on crop growth. The DP-2Ø2216-6 × Mon-øø6-3-6 × DAS-4Ø278-9 variety is more unique because it is resistant to glyphosate, phosphine glyphosate and 2,4-D herbicides. Its genetic genes were from PAT gene of Streptomyces virochromogenes, EPSPS gene of agrobacterium and AAD-1 gene of Gram-negative bacillus. This multi-resistant trait will provide Argentine farmers with more powerful weed management tools to increase agricultural productivity and crop yields.

It is worth noting that the approval of the two GMO corn varieties in Argentina follows similar approvals for food, feed and commercial cultivation in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Japan. The wide acceptance of these countries fully demonstrates the safety and economic benefits of these GM crops. Argentina's approval not only expands the global application of these varieties, but also opens a new path for agricultural modernization and sustainable development in the South American region.

As one of the world's important corn producers, Argentina's acceptance and application of transgenic technology will have a profound impact on the global agricultural pattern. This will not only help to enhance Argentina's agricultural production capacity and international competitiveness, but also may promote the further research and acceptance of genetically modified crops in neighboring countries, so as to jointly meet the global food security challenges, promote agricultural scientific and technological innovation and the development of green agriculture.