A paper published in/GM Crops & Food/assessed how GM seed production and
organic farming haveĀ Coexisted in Chilein the current unregulated
climate. The paper also provides insights into the development of future
evidence-based policies.
In Chile, several requirements need to be met regarding Law 20.089 in
order to be certified as an organic product. Under Chilean organic
certification standards, organic production must be isolated from the
production of any non-organic (GMOs, conventional) products.
Chile has become a leading exporter of GM seeds for the past 30 years.
From 2015 to 2020, GM seeds of maize, soybeans and canolaaccounted for
99.9% of GM seeds grown in the country, grown exclusively for export
markets. The production of GM seeds in Chile is strictly regulated and
follows all country-specific regulations regarding biosafety and is
conducted only within the confines of an appropriate regulatory framework.
In 2019, 20,987 cultivated hectares were certified as organic in Chile,
according to the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) which is in
charge of organic certification. This organic production includes fruit
species (69.5% of the total organic cultivated area); pasture crops;
medicinal plants; cereals, pseudocereals, and oilseeds; vegetables and
legumes; and seeds and nurseries.
Currently, both organic farmers and producers of GM seeds in Chile are
effectively coexisting. The direct impacts of GM seeds of maize, canola,
and soybean on organic production in Chile are likely to be negligible,
and there has not been any case of agronomic, quality, or commercial
impact that has been reported, notified, and confirmed.
Full article: Coexistence of genetically modified seed production and
organic farming in Chile (tandfonline.com)
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