Honduras is the only country in Central America and one of the five countries in Latin America which allows the field testing and commercial production of biotech crops. At present, BT (MON810), Roundup Ready (RR) (NK603), Herculex I and VTPRO (MON 89034) are commercially produced in Honduras. In 2012, there were about 33,000 hectares (ha.) in commercial production of genetically modified (GM) corn in Honduras.
The GM corn is planted in seven Departments in Honduras. GM corn is not planted in three Departments and in the municipality of Pespire, Choluteca, as these communities requested that GM corn not be planted there. Additionally, commercial production of GM corn has been restricted
to areas away from native corn stocks. It should be noted that the areas of the country that do not allow GM corn are known to have high levels of poverty. Preliminary data from producers indicate that the per hectare maximum traditional corn yield is 2.7 metric tons, hybrid yield is 3.6 metric tons, and GM yield is 8.0 metric tons.
Honduras’ biotechnology system is sanctioned by the Phytozoosanitary Law of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG) and is regulated by the Biosecurity Regulation with Emphasis in Transgenic Plants. As part of Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTADR), the Phytozoosanitary Law was reviewed and modified. Honduras ratified the Cartagena Protocol in September 2008. The regulation regarding intellectual property protection of plant varieties was approved by the Honduran Congress in March of 2012.
The biosecurity regulation assigns SAG's National Service of Plant and Animal Health (SENASA) as the responsible agency for creating the regulatory framework for agricultural biotechnology. A special committee, the National Committee of Biotechnology and Biosecurity composed of technical scientists from ten public and private sector institutions, evaluates the request, makes the scientific analysis, and advises SENASA in the decision making process.
Honduras’ corn crop is sold within the domestic market and exported to Argentina, Colombia, and the United States. Honduras imports corn and soybeans from the United States to supply its poultry, livestock, shrimp, and tilapia industries.
