Biotechnology Law at Venezuela
Venezuela has established a robust legal framework to regulate biotechnology, particularly concerning genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The cornerstone of this framework is the Seed Law of 2015 (Ley de Semillas), which imposes stringent restrictions on GMOs.
🇻🇪 Key Legal Provisions
1. Seed Law of 2015 (Ley de Semillas)
Enacted in December 2015, this law prohibits the production, importation, and research of genetically modified seeds. It also bans the commercialization and open-air cultivation of GMOs, emphasizing the protection of traditional, indigenous, and local seed varieties. The law aims to promote agroecological practices and food sovereignty by preserving biodiversity and preventing the privatization of seeds .
2. Law on Biological Diversity (2008)
This law provides a comprehensive framework for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in Venezuela. It includes provisions for the regulation and oversight of GMOs, aligning with the principles of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, to which Venezuela is a party. The law identifies GMOs as a significant threat to biodiversity and mandates strict controls to prevent their release into the environment .
3. Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
Venezuela ratified the Cartagena Protocol, an international agreement aimed at ensuring the safe transfer, handling, and use of living modified organisms (LMOs). The protocol establishes procedures for risk assessment and decision-making regarding the import and release of LMOs, promoting a precautionary approach to biosafety .
🌾 Biotechnology in Practice
Despite the legal restrictions, Venezuela continues to import genetically engineered (GE) agricultural products, such as corn, soybeans, and soybean oil, primarily from the United States, Brazil, and Argentina. These imports are used for food and feed purposes and are not subject to the same regulatory scrutiny as GMOs intended for cultivation .
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