The announced destruction of Pioneer's genetically modified corn (patented under the PR23G13 name) started last Friday in the fields of the Agricultural Cooperative “Osatina” from Semeljac, near Djakovo.

The destruction of the disputed hybrid corn was overseen by the Minister of Agriculture Petar Cobankovic, as well as by the Secretary of State at the Ministry, Dragan Kovacevic.

According to the Director of the “Osatina” Cooperative, Mirko Ervacic, this was the first year that they have used the hybrid seeds, which were sown to approximately 25 hectares of land. The cooperative has 3100 hectares under corn, half of which is BC hybrid seeds, while the other half are Pioneer produced seeds, only 25 hectares of which are under the disputed PR23G13 seed. "We sowed the disputed seeds on small, rather symbolic fields, for we envisioned its production only as an experiment", said Ervacic.

Minister if Agruculture Petar Cobankovic said that all farmers that will lose their crops in the campaign will be compensated, and no one will suffer the damages.

"The first estimates post the compensation per hectare at seven thousands Kuna,” said Cobankovic, and added that the problems of GM hybrids is present only in Slavonija.

He dismissed as speculations the allegations that the Bureau of Seed Production was to blame for neglecting the presence of GM seeds. He emphasized that the state has reacted in time with the proper legislation and demonstrated control over the situation. He also informed that the fields and the crops of the disputed genetically modified hybrid corn will be destroyed over the next ten days.