Argentina authorizes new Corteva transgenic events

Argentina has authorized the commercialization of two new genetically modified varieties, one of soybeans and the other of corn. The approval was granted through resolutions 113/2025 and 115/2025 of the Ministry of Agriculture, linked to the Ministry of Economy. Both varieties belong to the company Corteva Seeds Argentina SRL

The new genetically modified corn combines resistance to lepidopteran insects with tolerance to multiple herbicides. This variety shows increased yield potential and enables better control of resistant weeds. The tolerance includes widely used herbicides such as glyphosate, glufosinate ammonium, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and aryloxyphenoxypropionate-based herbicides. The transgenic events involved are DAS-Ø1131-3 x DP-91Ø521-2 x DP-2Ø2216-6 x DAS-4Ø278-9.

According to the National Advisory Committee on Agricultural Biotechnology (Conabia), the release of this corn is safe and does not pose additional risks to the environment, compared to conventional varieties. The assessment also considered food safety, confirmed by the National Agrifood Health and Quality Service (Senasa).

In Brazil, the opinion of the National Technical Commission on Biosafety (CTNBio) indicated that:

CTNBio, after evaluating the request for Commercial Release of corn DAS-Ø1131-3 x DP-91Ø521-2 x DP-2Ø2216-6 x DAS-4Ø278-9, all its subcombinations and exemption from post-commercial release monitoring, concluded to grant it under the terms of this Technical Opinion. In view of the above and considering the internationally accepted criteria in the risk analysis process of genetically modified corn, it is possible to conclude that the combined event DAS-Ø1131-3 x DP-91Ø521-2 x DP-2Ø2216-6 x DAS-4Ø278-9 in the commercial release process is safe. The data presented in the majority application for the combined event corn DAS-Ø1131-3 x DP-91Ø521-2 x DP-2Ø2216-6 x DAS-4Ø278-9 comply with the current standards and legislation that aim to guarantee the biosafety of the environment, agriculture, human and animal health, and allow us to conclude that the combined event corn DAS-Ø1131-3 x DP-91Ø521-2 x DP-2Ø2216-6 x DAS-4Ø278-9 is substantially equivalent to conventional corn, being safe for human and animal health to consume. Regarding the environment, it can be concluded that the genetically modified subcombinations are not potentially capable of causing significant degradation of the environment, maintaining an identical relationship with the biota as conventional corn. CTNBio did not identify any non-negligible risk, therefore the company is exempt from the post-commercial release monitoring plan, as determined by Art. 18, first paragraph of CTNBio RN32.

Authorized transgenic soybeans express proteins that provide protection against lepidopteran insects and tolerance to herbicides that inhibit the enzyme acetolactate synthase (ALS). This variety ensures more efficient pest management, helping to delay the emergence of resistance. According to an assessment by SENASA, the modified soybean presents food and nutritional safety similar to conventional soybeans. The transgenic event is COR-23134-4.

In Brazil, there is a request for commercial release of COR-23134-4 soybeans in progress at CTNBio.

The commercialization of transgenic soybeans will be subject to prior import authorization from China, the main destination for Argentine exports. Cultivars of this soybean must also submit an Insect Resistance Management Plan (PMRI) for approval before registration in the National Cultivar Registry (RNC).

Both the corn and soybean varieties were evaluated by three different technical bodies: Conabia, Senasa and the Market Policy Department. In all cases, the evaluations highlighted that there are no additional risks compared to conventional varieties.