Aspec on possible entry of GMOs into Peru: “It affects agrobiodiversity”

The Peruvian Association of Consumers and Users (Aspec) questioned the proposal of the Executive Branch, within the framework of the request for legislative powers, which seeks to allow the entry of transgenic seeds into Peru.

Last April, the Executive presented to Congress a request for powers to legislate on issues that seek to promote and improve economic recovery.

The agrarian chapter proposes the modification of art. 3 of Law No. 29811 – Law that establishes the moratorium on the entry and production of living modified organisms (LMO) – commonly known as transgenics – into the national territory for a period of 10 years.

“Law No. 29811 that is sought to be amended was repealed four years ago. In its place, the law that has been in force since 2021 is No. 31111, which establishes the moratorium for 15 years, until December 31, 2035,” said Crisolucion Cáceres, president of Aspec.

According to the organization, “there is desperation to get rid of the law and also terrible legal advice on transcendental issues for the country.”

For Cáceres, this “error” affects the Executive’s request, because the request to modify a specific law cannot be changed halfway and replace its nomenclature with another because such a procedure would be illegal.

“Consequently, it is assumed that the issue of GMOs would have to motivate a new request to Congress,” he said.

Transgenics in Peru:

Secondly, Aspec questions that, with the purpose of “increasing the profits of some businessmen”, there is an attempt to return to the past and allow the entry of transgenic seeds into the country, with “the risks that this implies, the damage to the fauna of the soil and other beneficial insect species.

“There is also the danger of inevitable genetic contamination because pollen, transported by the wind or bees, cannot be prevented from contaminating non-transgenic fields,” he said in a statement.

Likewise, Aspec refers to the problem of promoting an “industrialized agriculture model that expands the agricultural frontier to natural areas” that should be preserved for future generations.

“Aspec and various environmental defense organizations consider that there are social values ​​that are above the profit of a few businessmen, such as the protection of agrobiodiversity and the production of healthy foods for all Peruvians. The Executive is requested that, before continuing go forward with your intentions, call on social leaders who have solid arguments to discard this proposal,” he stated.