Peru Passes 10-Year Ban On GMOs

The Republic of Peru, a country in western South America, has passed a law banning genetically modified ingredients anywhere within the country for 10 years before coming up for another review. This is considered a major blow to companies that specialize in genetically altered foods, such as Monsanto, Bayer, and Dow, among others.

Peru’s Plenary Session of the Congress approved the decree despite previous governmental pushes for GM legalization.

The Peruvian congress expressed concerns that the introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) will compromise the native species of Peru, such as the giant white corn, purple corn and, the country’s  famous species of Peruvian potatoes.

According to Anibal Huerta, President of Peru’s Agrarian Commission, the ban was needed to prevent the ”danger that can arise from the use of biotechnology.”

The ban will curb the planting and importation of GMOs in the country, although research had found that 77 percent of supermarket products tested contained GM contaminants. The study revealed that GM foods are prevalent, especially in America, and people consume these goods without knowing it, due to inadequate labeling of the products. It noted that through pollination and being sneaked into processed foods, information about GM distribution is being blocked.

“There is an increasing consensus among consumers that they want safe, local, organic fresh food and that they want the environment and wildlife to be protected,” wrote Walter Pengue from the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina, in a recent statement concerning GMOs in South America.

“South American countries must proceed with a broader evaluation of their original agricultural policies and practices using the precautionary principle.”