Corn growers urge govt to approve new GMO rules

LOCAL corn growers are appealing to the government for the immediate signing of the rules governing the country’s use and propagation of genetically modified organisms (GMO) or genetically modified (GM) seeds in local farms in time for the cropping season starting April.

The livelihood of some one million corn farmers is on the brink if the new rules -- through a joint circular being drafted by the Departments of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Environment and Natural Resources, Health, and Interior and Local Government -- are not immediately passed.