A bill to regulate research, production and sale of genetically modified (GMO) food is due for debate in Brazil's Senate next week, the government's Senate leader, Aloizio Mercadante, said Friday.
Since being approved by the lower house of Congress in February, the bill has been held up by political battles.
Environmental and consumer groups demand stiff biotech or GMO safety controls while farmers and scientists are impatient to take advantage of economic and genetic benefits of biotechnology.
This week President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told a meeting of party leaders of the ruling coalition that if there was further delay he would introduce a decree allowing the sale of GMO soy in 2004/05.
Farmers need to order soybean seeds to plant in October.
Mercadante said there were two drafts: the document approved by the lower house in February and a report prepared by government's former leader in the chamber, Aldo Rebelo.
"We shall choose one or the other or a compromise," Mercadante said, noting strong arguments from both sides.
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