For agricultural producers, the use of precision biotechnology in Guatemala requires a specialized committee so that the authorities' decisions are based on technical and scientific evidence, and not under the influence of political or ideological interests.
Guatemala already has regulations in this area, since on October 1, 2019, the regulatory framework signed by the Ministry of Economy with its counterparts in El Salvador and Honduras came into effect.
Since October 1, in Guatemala, the Technical Regulation of Biosafety of Living Modified Organisms has been in force, which will allow the importation, commercialization and sowing of modified seeds known as transgenic, for human and animal consumption.
Until now, Guatemala could only import food that was the product of crops with modified seeds. With the entry into force of the regulation, the entry of transgenic seeds for marketing and planting purposes will be authorized.
After two decades of research, a report by 20 top US scientists has concluded that GM crops are safe for health and the environment.
The largest piece of research on the impact of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) which has been made by the National Academy of Sciences of the United States demolishes myths promoted by environmental organizations by concluding that these crops are no different from others and that there is not a one test that has shown a negative impact on the health of people.
The agricultural chambers in the region are preparing law proposals to be presented in the Central American countries to remove the restrictions on growing GM foods.
Representatives from FECAGRO said the use of agricultural biotechnology allows for improved technology that enables high productivity seeds, reduces agrochemical use, creates more drought-resistant crops that can also be irrigated with salt water and are completely safe for human consumption.
The Agricultural Affairs Committee in the Legislative Assembly has rejected a bill which sought to impose a moratorium on the cultivation of genetically modified foods.
Lack of certainty and scientific consensus on the risk of the release and cultivation of GMOs were key to the decision.
Although some sectors anticipated approval of the initiative by the Commission on GM crops, most of the deputies in the Agricultural Affairs Committee rejected it, burying the law that would have banned GM cultivation in the country for four years.
While the Congress of Costa Rica is preparing to vote on a four year moratorium on the cultivation of GM crops, the scientific evidence that they pose no risk to animal or human health is increasing.
EDITORIAL
The article published in Elfinancierocr.com by Keilor Rojas reports on a study carried out by geneticists at the University of California-Davis that based on "...
Employers in the agricultural sector are proposing pilot projects in selected areas in order to assess the implications of using such crops.
Jose Adam Aguerri, president of Cosep, told Elnuevodiario.com.ni that "... the (GM) issue today in Nicaragua is prohibited."
"We believe that there will have to be an analysis of this situation, we must evaluate it and balance it, (...) we can go slowly, gradually, with pilot projects in confined zones in order to see how it works, without this meaning it will be adopted".
Soybeans, corn and cotton are the main GM crops in Brazil, a country that accepts and promotes genetically modified foods.
In Brazil the number of hectares planted with genetically modified soybeans, corn and cotton amounts to 36.6 million, varieties of crops which according to producers reduce costs, increase production and generate higher profits.
The abstention of countries such as Germany and Belgium in voting against the cultivation of genetically modified corn marks a before and after period for the use of genetically modified foods.
The EU is going to authorize the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) maize TC1507 belonging to the U.S. group Pioneer, said the European Commission.
Growers will have to wait for the next harvest due to there not having been a pronunciation by the Ministry of Health regarding human consumption of the product.
Although the planting and harvesting of this product for animal consumption has been authorized by the Ministry of Agricultural Development, health authorities have not pronounced on it, leaving 25 producers waiting to see if they can start planting 2,400 acres of the genetically modified grain.
A bill is being promoted in the Legislative Assembly which would ban the cultivation of GM products and order the non-renewal of the permits which have already been granted.
The project which is seeking an indefinite moratorium on such crops is being driven by members of the Acción Ciudadana Party (PAC by its initials in Spanish) and Frente Amplio Party.
After being approved for human consumption by the U.S.'s FDA, salmon farmed in Chiriquí will exported to the US and Canada.
Capital.com.pa reports that "This project developed by Aqua Bounty Technologies Company from Massachusetts has gone through an approval process for its AquAdvantage salmon - a trademark registered by the aforementioned company, which now spans 20 years and cost $60 million, following all the steps required by the FDA, culminating in being only a few steps away from receiving approval for human consumption, which will give the green light for commercial cultivation initially in Panama and its markets in the U.S. and Canada. "
In the last 22 years 10,600 hectares of GM crops have been cultivated for biotech research purposes or for seed production.
In Costa Rica genetically modified crops have been planted since 1991, when the national company Los Gansos S. A. applied for permits to import and plant genetically modified soy.
Despite the heated controversy caused by the acquisition of a license by the company DPL seeds to plant 0.9 hectares of GM maize, the story of these crops is not a new issue in the country. An article in Nacion.com reports that "it began 22 years ago and since then 68 licenses have been granted, both for research and for the development of seeds."
The Panamanian National Biosafety Committee has endorsed the supervised cultivation of transgenic maize in the provinces of Los Santos and Herrera.
A statement from Notimex reads:
Panamanian producers will start next year, commercial cultivation of GM maize, after two years of studies to identify a disease-resistant variety with higher yields, authorities said on Monday.
Applications for permits to import genetically modified seeds have become stuck in government bureaucratic mazes in El Salvador, complain private industry.
The Agricultural Suppliers Association (APA) in El Salvador, is promoting the sowing of basic grains seeds that have been genetically modified in order to increase production, reports El Salvador.com.