The Moratorium on the Entry of LMOs to Peru: Analyzing How the Government Decided to Defend Our Biodiversity

Abstract

For a long time living modified organisms (LMOs) have been a source of concern and debate by governments, the industrial sector and consumers. As one of the most biologically diverse countries, Peru has not been a stranger to these problems, and the approach of this country has been through the establishment of a moratorium on certain uses of LMOs.This research studies the aforementioned moratorium in order to determine whether the measure is consistent with the legal framework on biodiversity, especially with the Convention on Biological Diversity(CBD) and the Cartagena Protocol.To this purpose we explain the characteristics of the moratorium in Peru, the arguments used to justify it and then analyze the moratorium based on the CBD and the Cartagena Protocol, particularly in relation to the precautionary principle. Furthermore, we investigate the progress that the Peruvian government has made so far in implementing the moratorium.Finally, although the research is focused on Peru, the analysis of the successes, failures and observed risks is important for any country wishing to protect its biodiversity.