Brazilian authorities investigate tobacco claims

The authorities in southern Brazil say they are investigating allegations that farmers are growing genetically-altered tobacco, which produces a higher nicotine content.

A journalist who visited the region the state of Rio Grande do Sul says some of the plants he saw were unusually big and had a powerful odour.

The main tobacco company in the region Souza Cruz denies any knowledge of the findings.

Four years ago it emerged that a variety of genetically-altered seeds from the United States known as Y-One was being grown in Brazil, apparently to produce cigarettes which were more addictive.

The practice was abandoned after pressure from Washington.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service