Transgenics in Peru: between biodiversity and expanding the agricultural frontier

The transgenic industry in the world moves millions. The market for these genetically modified (GM) seeds is estimated to grow by US$12.8 billion, at a CAGR of 7.08%, between 2023 and 2028, according to data from Technavio. This, after preliminarily reaching US$23.6 billion this year alone, according to the latest Genetically Modified Crops Global Market Report 2024.

Despite the restrictions in most countries, there are today up to 525 GM widely spread, with corn, canola, soybeans, wheat and cotton leading the way, especially in countries widely adapted to the industry, such as the USA, Canada, Brazil, Argentina and India. But they are also grown in countries in the region such as Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Colombia.

In addition, it is estimated that the global area in 2023 increased almost 2% to 206.26 million hectares, the highest ever planted, according to updated data from ISAAA (International Service for the Acquisition of Agribiotech Applications, according to its acronym in English). In our country, you already consume GMOs. The chicken served at your table is fed yellow corn and GM soy, usually Argentinian. The soy oil and lecithin used in chocolates also come from genetically modified soybeans. Recently, the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri) has announced its intention to establish a “exception” to the moratorium that, in Peru, applies to GM until 2035, in order to promote a crop oriented towards small farmers, but that could also open the market to large farmers. It would start with wheat and cotton. Basically, Midagri has included in the request for legislative powers to Congress a proposal to change article 3 of Law No. 29811 (the first moratorium of 2011, of the Humala government) to exclude from its scope the production of living modified organisms ( LMO) “intended solely for animal feeding of non-native species”, and greater flexibility for experimental cultivation in the open field. “The longest path has been chosen,” says Luis De Stefano Beltrán, PhD. The professor at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH) maintains that, with the Midagri modification, it is only promoting moving from studies in a confined field to an open field, a period that could take about four years, and then only – and if not – change, again, the policies of the Peruvian government authorize the importation of seeds for commercial purposes, after which another series of tests would have to be carried out. In total, about eight or nine years.

Moratorium until 2035

For the researcher, the path was to repeal the current moratorium and recover the “Internal Sectoral Biosafety Regulation for Agricultural and Forestry Activities”, approved by the former Minister of the Environment Antonio Brack, through DS 003-2011 in the government of Alan García, and which Then the first ten-year moratorium of Law No. 29811 was annulled. Later, in 2021, it was extended until 2035.

That device established the rules that any importer of GM seeds had to follow for their subsequent introduction into Peruvian fields, and “that it was not from one day to the next either,” because, if that regulation were put into effect today, “we would not have sales.” of seeds for corn or cotton growers in about four years.” Mechanisms could even be established to encourage the importation of seeds and, in addition, produce them locally in certified laboratories. The new sequences could also be designed at INIA, but De Stefano acknowledges that “we would have to start from scratch.”

The specialist affirms that there is extraordinary potential in Peru. For example, he exemplifies the combination of genes from native potatoes with other species more resistant to ranch, a pest that devastates the crops of small farmers who do not have a budget for pesticides. He also explains that there is a scientific consensus regarding the safety of GM, and clarifies that they are not “killer tomatoes” or “carnivorous plants.”

“The moratorium is wrong, it is terrible. The criterion that has been used was not technical, but political. It happens that environmental NGOs and various political forces do not feel like introducing this type of industries and, however, other countries, such as China, Cuba and Uruguay, are allowing them,” he concludes.

killer tomatoes

Midagri hopes that the entry of GMOs will contribute to expanding the agricultural frontier (11.6 million hectares in 2023) and reactivate the sector from below. However, and saving the political component, the local cultivation of GM must still overcome the possible censorship that a country that presents itself to the world as biodiverse would face.

The scientific advisor of the Peruvian Association of Consumers and Users (ASPEC), Flora Luna Gonzales, maintains that GM cultivation has concentrated the highest agricultural yields in a few hands and on indigenous territories that were not previously “exploited”, far from the promise to reduce the use of pesticides and bring prosperity to the majority of farmers.

He also states that developed countries in Europe and other regions “are worried, since 75% of their biodiversity has been lost, and there are almost a million species in danger.” Precisely, there are standards to care for original genomes, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, and the Nagoya Protocol, on access to genetic resources and fair and equitable distribution of benefits.

However, he accuses that developed countries, where these new technologies are studied, “modify and appropriate the gene without respecting the territories,” to then “contaminate the DNA structure in other crops previously installed.”

“These large companies make revolving doors and put their people who believe in their new technologies in key places. It took almost three years for the new regulation and, since it already came out, they want to block the rule and have the GMs enter us,” he says.

Peru: fertile land for the transgenic industry

The Peruvian Agricultural Convention (Conveagro) and the Peruvian Agroecological Consortium sent a letter to Congress requesting that the Moratorium Law on Transgenics not be changed.

Gabriel Amaro, president of the Association of Agricultural Producers Guilds of Peru (AGAP), said for La República that the window promoted by Midagri was not “proposed or consulted” with the union, and that they still “must adopt a position on the matter.”

Midagri estimates that the non-use of LMOs causes “serious damage to national agricultural productivity and agricultural producers.” In 2017, the lost profitability from not using cotton, corn and potato seeds would amount to S/3,129 million, about US$956.88 million, according to PL 7752.

In 2016, Bayer bought Monsanto for US$66 billion and is today the largest agrochemical and seed company in the world.

Arctic Apples and Pink pineapple. In the world, apples, pineapples, Italian squash, squash, and transgenic tomatoes, among others, are already sold.

There are other paradoxes, like the Peruvian one, in the region. In Chile, cultivation is allowed, but only for export, since the seeds cannot be used in domestic agriculture.

There are no conclusive studies on possible physical or psychological disorders that the consumption of GMOs may cause among humans.

Reactions

Flora Luna Gonzales, ASPEC scientific advisor

“Many countries that no longer wanted GMOs have had, by law, to continue receiving them. We know of contaminated yellow corn and soybean crops in Piura, the authorities do not act on it.”

Luis De Stefano Beltrán, researcher at UPCH

“Here there has been a lobby of two strong groups: exporters of organic crops and owners of high-end restaurants, in alliance with political groups. “This moratorium is a shame to the world.”

Data

To give you an idea, in 2023 Peru exported US$10,545 million FOB in agricultural products, of which non-traditional products (blueberry, avocado, grapes, etc.) accounted for 90.8%, with US$9,574 million.

In corn alone, Midagri estimates space in Peru for 200,000 hectares. “We are talking about US$1 billion. In cotton, the potential is to develop 100,000 hectares of cotton, and another US$1,000 million,” said Minister Ángel Manero.

There is no genetically modified coffee. However, attempts have been made to develop transformation protocols in several laboratories around the world, including in Peru, so far, without success.Agro. Biodiversity is key to the Peruvian offer.

There are documented cases of the effects of LMOs in countries such as India, Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina. Any proposal regarding living beings such as seeds and their genetic material that puts food sovereignty at risk must have a scientific basis. Not a commercial basis.

The motion becomes questionable if the same company that produces and promotes transgenic seeds advises government decision-makers on international and national matters about their effectiveness. Before making a decision of such importance for food sovereignty, three aspects must be evaluated: agricultural matters, health and effects on the environment. It is enough for there to be a risk in just one of the three premises mentioned for it to pose a threat. If there is no solid study that supports the non-existence of any risk in these three aspects, the most reasonable thing is the precautionary principle.

Apply the precautionary principle

Approach. Angie Higuchi, professor and researcher at the University of the Pacific

There are documented cases of the effects of LMOs in countries such as India, Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina. Any proposal regarding living beings such as seeds and their genetic material that puts food sovereignty at risk must have a scientific basis. Not a commercial basis.

The motion becomes questionable if the same company that produces and promotes transgenic seeds advises government decision-makers on international and national matters about their effectiveness. Before making a decision of such importance for food sovereignty, three aspects must be evaluated: agricultural matters, health and effects on the environment. It is enough for there to be a risk in just one of the three premises mentioned for it to pose a threat. If there is no solid study that supports the non-existence of any risk in these three aspects, the most reasonable thing is the precautionary principle.

The seed market promotes the ability of people to generate their own food. This cannot be violated. The country’s biosafety legislation must protect the country’s own seeds as cultural reserves and native to Peru. The promotion of research consortia between countries of origin crops is more than necessary. The Executive must have as an ally researchers who can show them the risks that a poorly made decision can cause not only in the economy, but also in society, such as health, agriculture and the environment.