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.
A 'crime against humanity' is how 109 Nobel prize winners describe Greenpeace's stance against the production of genetically modified foods.
A group of Nobel laureates in various disciplines, referred to the need to produce food to feed the world's growing population, describing the environmental organization Greenpeace's opposition to the practice of precision agriculture as 'criminal'.
Companies that export food to the South American country must include a special label to identify products containing GMOs or which are derived from them.
The regulations of the decree signed in 2015 state that the deadline is 2018 so as to incorporate gradually, the new yellow label indicating if the food product contains any ingredients that have been genetically modified (GMO).
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 Food and Drug Administration has evaluated two varieties of apples and six potatoes which have been genetically modified and concluded that they are "as safe and nutritious as their conventional counterparts."
From a statement issued by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States (FDA):
The Food and Drug Administration of the United States (FDA) has completed its evaluation of two apple varieties which have been genetically engineered by Okanagan Specialty Fruits, Inc., and six potatoes genetically designed by JR Simplot Company and concluded that these foods are as safe and nutritious as their conventional counterparts.
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 "...
In the US an increasing number of farmers are replanting with non-GM seeds, while grains prices fall and there is a growing preference for organic products.
At the end of 2014 consumption of non-GM foods such as cereals, salad dressings, eggs and other products increased by 15%, with sales reaching $9.6 billion. By analyzing consumer trends, the US agricultural sector expects this year increases of up to 45% in sales of non-genetically modified maize seeds and 8% in un genetically modified soy.
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.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved the use of a label for meat and poultry which certifies it is free of genetically modified organisms.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a label for meat and poultry products which states that they are free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or transgenic substances.
The crusade against GMOs is based on misinformation that excites fear in an audience that ignores what it consumes on a daily basis.
Acceptance for study by the Constitutional Chamber of Costa Rica of an appeal against the cultivation of genetically modified corn seeds, once again puts the topic on the table for discussion.
In his blog on Elfinancierocr.com, Juan Carlos Hidalgo reveals the fallacies used by opposition groups to carry out their obscurantist crusade against genetically modified foods.
The company will stop charging for the use of first generation GM soybeans in Brazil during 2012 and 2013.
The multinational has reached an agreement with Brazilian farmers to stop charging royalties for the use of genetically modified seeds, for which it owns the patent.
"The agreement is limited to crops in 2012 and 2013 of the Roundoup Ready first generation soybean, which is resistant to the herbicide Roundoup, the most commonly used in the market, also manufactured by Monsanto." reported PrensaLibre.com
The only Latin American countries where Transgenic production is banned are Ecuador, Venezuela and Peru.
And in Ecuador the ban is soon to be lifted, judging by a statement from the President Rafael Correa, who said that the inclusion of the ban in the Ecuadorian Constitution was "a mistake."
According to an article in Hoy.com.ec, "Since the first genetically modified soybean was introduced in Argentina in 1997, one by one countries in the region have joined the seeds with altered DNA to their crops, despite objections from environmental groups. In Brazil alone, for example, over 30 million hectares are grown, an area equivalent to the whole of Italy, said Efe Francisco Aragao, an expert from the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) , a public entity, which this week participated in a conference on the subject in Quito. "
The use of genetically modified (GM) seeds has led to increased yields.
Martin Zuniga, director for CropLife Central America noted that Honduras is the only country in the region which has these commercial plantations. In the case of Costa Rica it produces products for export only, not for the domestic market.
Siglo21.com.gt reported statements by the executive: "The technology is being adopted relatively quickly, because this way makes farming more efficient, you get higher productivity, lower costs and it frees you up to devote time to other crops."