{
  "id": "RS21558",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "RS21558",
  "active": false,
  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
  "versions": [
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 103277,
      "date": "2003-10-17",
      "retrieved": "2016-04-08T14:36:11.191544",
      "title": "Genetically Engineered Soybeans: Acceptance and Intellectual Property Rights Issues in South America",
      "summary": "U.S. soybean growers and trade officials charge that Argentina and Brazil -- the United States'\ntwo\nmajor export competitors in international soybean markets -- gain an unfair trade advantage by\nroutinely saving genetically-engineered (GE), Roundup Ready (RR) soybean seeds from the previous\nharvest (a practice prohibited in the United States) for planting in subsequent years. These groups\nalso argue that South American farmers pay no royalty fees on the saved seed, unlike U.S. farmers\nwho are subject to a technology fee when they purchase new seeds each year. The cost saving to\nSouth American soybean growers on the technology fee alone nets out to about $8 to $9 per metric\nton -- a considerable cost advantage over U.S. soybeans in the highly competitive international\nsoybean market. This practice also raises concerns about the intellectual property rights (IPR) of\nMonsanto (the developer of RR technology). \n  Commercial use of RR soybeans in Brazil remains illegal despite apparent widespread planting.\nA 1998 government approval of their commercial use remains suspended by court injunction, and\nresolution over their commercial legality is being considered by an appellate court. However, two\nrecent Presidential decrees have given temporary reprieve to the ban on planting and marketing GE\nsoybeans through December 2004. The eventual outcome on commercial legalization of GE crops\nin Brazil may have important consequences for intellectual property rights, as well as for\ninternational trade in GE crops. This report will be updated as needed.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
      "active": false,
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      "topics": []
    }
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  "topics": []
}