September 3, 2009

Peru is taking a hard line against the introduction of transgenic, or genetically modified, plants into the Andean nation, aiming to protect its biodiversity, Environment Minister Antonio Brack said Wednesday (September 2).

"We can't t destroy our biological heritage with the importation of some transgenics," Brack said in a broadcast interview.

The Agriculture Ministry said this week that it is investigating the possibility that genetically modified corn is being grown in a key farming zone near Peru's north-central coast.

Peru's government has not written the necessary norms to implement a decade-old law that aims to regulate genetically modified products and seeds in the country.

"Peru is starting to enter many markets all over the world, with various products. The organic and the natural can't mix with the transgenics," Brack added.

Brack said large companies that produce and sell genetically modified seeds want to expand into Peru.

He added that the government expects the norms needed to regulate the genetically modified organisms to be ready shortly, saying that Peru needs better-equipped laboratories to be able to control transgenic plants.