ABSTRACT
This chapter tells the story of the political struggles behind such an abrupt transformation. It covers the period from 2003 to 2005 and comprises the first years of the new government, when social movements tried to influence the decisions on how to solve the issue of illegal crops and on the new biosafety law. Greenpeace Brazil had already phased out the campaign against GM crops as part of the reorganization of its efforts to focus on climate change. The process of criminalization of social movements related to the fight for land worsened at the beginning of Lulas office. Lisboas analysis on the reasons for Lulas government approval of GMOs coincides with the more general theses from political scientists on Lulas government. The National Council on Food Security and Nutrition (CONSEA), a consultative body composed of representatives from civil society and the government, reacted demanding the president apply the precautionary principle, but it was ignored.
