Glufosinate Tolerant Soybean

Glufosinate Tolerant Soybeans are genetically engineered soybeans that have had their DNA modified to withstand the herbicide Glufosinate. (Glufosinate is also referred to as Phosphinothricin and it is sold under the brand names Basta and Liberty.) All glufosinate tolerant soybean varieties are sold by Bayer CropScience under the brand name "LibertyLink."

History
1990s:
 * July 31, 1996: U.S. deregulates AgrEvo's Glufosinate Tolerant Soybeans, GRS Transformation Events W62, W98, A2704-12, A2704-21, A5547-35
 * January 1997: The U.S. EPA approves the use of glufosinate (sold by AgrEvo under the brand name "Liberty") for corn.
 * March 1997: U.S. EPA updates its approval of Liberty, noting "Liberty Herbicide is for use only on corn and soybeans resistant to the active ingredient in this product."
 * January 1998: Glufosinate tolerant soybeans plans to sell commercially in the U.S. under the brand name "LibertyLink"
 * May 1998: AgrEvo decides to delay commercial sales of its glufosinate tolerant soybean seeds, pending import approval from the EU.
 * June 8, 1998: U.S. deregulates AgrEvo's Glufosinate Tolerant Soybean, Event A5547-127
 * November 23, 1998: U.S. deregulates AgrEvo's Glufosinate Tolerant Soybean, Event GU262
 * March 1999: The introduction of glufosinate tolerant soybeans are delayed once again, pending import approval from both the EU and Japan.
 * 1999: AgroEvo becomes Aventis CropScience following a merger.

2000s:
 * 2001: Bayer CropScience acquires Aventis CropScience.
 * September 8, 2008: The European Commission grants a 10 year approval for imports of A2704-12 as whole soybeans, oil or meal for use as food and animal feed to the 27 EU member nations. However, the EU does not allow planting of A2704-12.

2010s:
 * 2011: Argentina approves Bayer's glufosinate tolerant soybeans. Bayer announced that it will not sell its GE soybeans in Argentina until it receives approvals for its other traits as well.

Related SourceWatch articles

 * GE Soybeans
 * Glufosinate Tolerant Crops
 * Herbicide Tolerant Crops
 * Glufosinate
 * GMOs

External resources

 * GM Crop Database, Center for Environmental Risk Assessment
 * Overview of GMO Events Commercially Available and Regulatory Status
 * Novel Food Decisions - Approved Products, Health Canada.
 * Charles Benbrook, "Impacts of Genetically Engineered Crops on Pesticide Use: The First Thirteen Years" and Supplemental Tables, The Organic Center, 2009.
 * "Failure to Yield: Evaluating the Performance of Genetically Engineered Crops," Union of Concerned Scientists, 2009.