Farmers are fined almost R$900,000 for planting transgenic corn around the Emas National Park

Inspection identified cultivation on 645.43 hectares in the buffer zone of the conservation unit, in the southwest of Goiás. Three properties were fined during operations by Ibama and ICMBio.

Farmers were fined around R$890,000 for planting transgenic corn around the Emas National Park, in Goiás. The affected area totals 645.43 hectares.

The operation took place between the 13th and 23rd of October, with 38 inspection actions in the park's buffer zone. Three properties were fined.

Brazilian legislation prohibits the planting of GMOs in Conservation Units. The federal decree also establishes restrictions in buffer zones.

Inspection aims to prevent the dispersion of genetic material and reduce environmental impacts. Risks include the emergence of super pests and pesticide resistance.

Farmers were fined approximately R$890,000 for growing transgenic corn around the Emas National Park, in the southwest of Goiás. Inspection by the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) and the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) identified plantations in an area of ​​645.43 hectares.

In total, 38 inspections were carried out in the park's buffer zone, which is a protective strip around the conservation unit. On three properties, agents identified GM corn crops that had already been closed.

Environmental agents issued three infraction notices, totaling approximately R$890,000. According to Ibama, the fined areas correspond to 11.39% of the entire protection strip established around the park, within a radius of 500 meters from the unit's limits.

All rural properties that carry out agricultural activities within the limits of the inspected area were inspected. During the operation, no cultivation of genetically modified organisms was identified within the park.

What does the legislation say?

Law No. 11,460/2007 prohibits the research and cultivation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Indigenous Lands and Conservation Units, with the exception of Environmental Protection Areas (APAs). Federal Decree No. 5,950/2006 establishes specific restriction zones for the planting of certain genetically modified organisms around conservation units.

According to Ibama, the objective is to prevent the unintentional dispersion of genetic material into protected areas and reduce possible impacts on biodiversity.

Among the risks highlighted by the agency are the transfer of genes to wild species, the development of resistance to pesticides and the emergence of super pests. Cultivation can also affect species that are not targets of genetic modification, such as insects present in the vicinity of crops.

Ibama has been inspecting the Emas National Park buffer zone since 2008 to verify compliance with biosafety rules related to the cultivation of genetically modified organisms.

Farmers and managers of inspected properties received guidance on the standards and possible environmental impacts related to transgenic organisms.