Egypt’s Minister of Agriculture has approved the decisions made by the National Biosafety Committee (NBC) and Seed Registration Committee allowing the commercialization of a Bt corn variety.

This marks the first genetically modified (GM) crop approved for domestic planting in the country.

The approval is highlighted in a recent Global Agriculture Information Network (GAIN) report by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

During last year’s growing season, field trials were conducted and assessed. A local seed company, acting as an agent of a multi-national life science company, plans to import GM seeds for propagation and production from South Africa.

The GM corn will be planted in 10 governates throughout Egypt.

For more details: http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200804/146294295.pdf