Planted area of genetically modified soybeans in Brazil could double next season, despite uncertainty over its legality, the seed industry estimates.

According to calculations by the Brazilian Seed Producers Association, or Abrasem, farmers could plant 6.4 million hectares of GMO beans, or around 30% of the crop. Last year, the seed industry estimated GMOs spread across three million hectares in the first year their use was allowed.

A bill to permanently regulate GMO crops in Brazil is stuck in Congress and it is uncertain whether the government will issue another temporary decree to legalize them next year.

"Planting is prohibited (as it stands for next year), but farmers will plant GMO soybeans, with or without a special decree," said Ywao Miyamoto, Abrasem's president.

Abrasem is basing its figures on demand for official conventional seeds this season. Brazil is the world's No. 2 soybean producer and the only exporter to ban the use of transgenic technology.

The Agriculture Ministry estimated GMO soybean area was 2.78 million hectares in 2003-04, or 13.2% of the crop.

© 2004 OsterDowJones