Guatemala
Country introduction:
The biggest sector in the Guatemalan economy is agriculture; the main exported products are cardamom, sugar cane and coffee. The tourism is the second source of foreign exchange for the country, the industry is an important branch of the Guatemalan economy and the service sector that year after year becomes more important, making the typical Guatemalan economy based on agriculture service delivery.
In Guatemala the issue of food safety lies with the Directorate of Safety of VISAR - Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA) when a product is not processed, however when it comes to a processed product is under the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance responsability. Guatemala bases many of its fresh exports in horticulture and fresh tropical fruits, seafood and honey. In the other hand, the majority of fresh imported products are based on poultry, meat, stone fruits and grains (the main source of food). It has now been given greater importance to the processes and value added in the industry, trying to acquire new markets and be more competitive arround the world.
Regulatory framework:
My country does not have a regulatory framework that requires the competent authority to conduct safety assessment of GM food.
Structure for GM food safety assessment:
My country is in the process in developing a structure for GM food safety assessment.
Supplemental information (regulatory framework):
Relevant contact details:
mvnelsonru@yahoo.es / Nelson Ruano ; secretariacodexgua@gmail.com/ Veronica Orellana
GM food safety assessment guidelines:
My country does not conduct safety assessment of GM food but the country has, or the country is in the process of developing national/regional guidelines that are in line with the Codex Guidelines in conducting safety assessment of GM food.
Conduct of GM food safety assessment:
My country has never conducted food safety assessment of GM food but is planning to conduct such assessment in the near future.
Supplemental information (assessment):
Regulation stacked events:
The country is in the process of developing relevant policies on assessment of stacked events, or there is no specific regulation on stacked events.
Supplemental information (stacked events):
GM food/feed production:
My country does not produce any GM food or feed.
GM food/feed imports:
My country may import GM food or feed and there is no authorization process.
Supplemental information (production and trade):
LLP/AP incidents:
My country does not monitor LLP/AP situations.
Supplemental information (LLP/AP incidents):
Labelling requirement:
My country allows a voluntary and positive labeling on GM food.
Supplemental information (labelling requirement):
Relevant links:
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