Although the planting and harvesting of this product for animal consumption has been authorized by the Ministry of Agricultural Development, health authorities have not pronounced on it, leaving 25 producers waiting to see if they can start planting 2,400 acres of the genetically modified grain.

"... The Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA) has fulfilled its responsibilities and given permission for planting and harvesting this product for animal consumption, but authorities at the MoH have never ruled on the issue of human consumption," said the president of the Sectorial Committee on Agricultural Biosafety, Ivette Vargas.

"The leader of the Corn Producers Association, Valentin Dominguez blamed this situation on a local law firm and environmental groups who sent a note to the Embassy of the United States (U.S.)".

The U.S. embassy asked the MIDA to conduct tests in humans and animals, which Dominguez believes has no justification, "when we have been eating beef, chicken and pork, fed with GM soy and corn for a lifetime."

Source: Capital.com.pa

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