1.Paraguay: Peasants Continue to Fight Against Genetically Modified Corn
2.Peru: Restrictions Imposed on Genetically-Modified Organisms

EXTRACT: Fear of unforeseen health and environmental consequences resulting from genetically-modified crops has caused protests throughout Latin America in recent months, notably in Paraguay and Mexico. (item 2)
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1.Paraguay: Peasants Continue to Fight Against Genetically Modified Corn
Taylor Dolven
The Argentina Independent, 8 November 2012
 http://www.argentinaindependent.com/currentaffairs/paraguay-peasants-continue-to-fight-against-genetically-modified-corn/

Paraguayan peasant organizations have reported the possibility of the contamination of more than 10 native corn varieties resulting from the use of genetically modified seeds sold by international agriculture company, Monsanto.

Concern was raised after crossing the two types of genetically modified seeds that Monsanto sold to the Paraguayan government. Peasants accuse the seeds of causing widespread contamination through insect pollination.

Minister of Health Antonio Arbo approved Monsanto's genetically modified seeds in August resulting in peasant protests.

Small peasant producers are calling for a stop to the entry of corn produced by U.S. multinational companies such as Monsanto and Syngenta. The environmental advocacy organization, Alter Vida, also took part in today's accusation.

Cultivating these genetically modified corn seeds requires the use of glyphosate, a herbicide known globally for its high toxicity.
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2.Peru: Restrictions Imposed on Genetically-Modified Organisms
Chris Barrett
The Argentina Independent, 14 November 2012
 http://www.argentinaindependent.com/currentaffairs/newsfromlatinamerica/peru-restrictions-imposed-on-genetically-modified-organisms/

Peruvian Environment Minister Manuel Pulgar Vidal announced yesterday that the government has approved a new regulation that imposes a moratorium on the production and entry of genetically-modified organisms, also known as transgenics, into the country for the next ten years.

Details of the moratorium will print in the Peruvian state newspaper this Thursday. Vidal called the measure a “demonstration of the government’s commitment to preserve the biodiversity of native crops.”

Genetically-modified organisms, or “living modified organisms”, are defined by the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety as “any living organism that possesses a novel combination of genetic material obtained through the use of modern biotechnology.”

“The existing law and now this regulation establish a moratorium of ten years, and this means that we must use this period to efficiently and effectively strengthen our own capacity and our scientific capacity in biotechnological processes regarding our natural resources.” Vidal said.

The approved regulation also defines infractions, and will establish sanctions for those who attempt to bring transgenics into Peruvian territory. Offenses will be classified as ‘minor’, ‘serious’, or ‘very serious’, and will be subject to fines, temporary or indefinite seizure of the transgenic products, and in some cases destruction of the products.

The regulation provides for the construction of guidelines regarding issues of biodiversity in Peru and for the accreditation of laboratories for determining whether or not products contain any genetically-modified material.

President of the Council of Ministers Juan Jiménez Mayor stated "this confirms the importance this government attaches to biological diversity, to native crops and to the campesinos of Peru."

Fear of unforeseen health and environmental consequences resulting from genetically-modified crops has caused protests throughout Latin America in recent months, notably in Paraguay and Mexico.
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