The president of the Consumer Defense Commission [of Peru], Wilson Soto Palacios, has expressed his satisfaction with the decision of the Congress of the Republic to exclude two controversial issues from the delegation of powers to the executive: the release of transgenic seeds and the unification of regulators.

Peru is recognized worldwide for its megadiversity, being the center of origin of such important crops as potatoes, tomatoes, cocoa and quinoa. This diversity is not only an invaluable natural heritage but also a competitive advantage in the agro-export market, where organic and GMO-free products are highly valued.

However, bill 7752/2023-PE sought to modify article 3 of Law 29811, which established a moratorium on the entry and production of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) in the country. This proposal sought to allow the research and production of LMOs, gene editing and other modern biotechnology techniques, arguing that this would contribute to the sustainability of agriculture and confront the effects of climate change.

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Experience has shown that fragmentation and lack of coordination can be problematic, but the solution should not involve the loss of independence of regulatory bodies, which must stay away from political and business influences to fulfill their role in protecting consumer rights. and guarantee the quality of public services.

[Editor’s Note: This article has been translated from Spanish and edited for clarity.]

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