Ecuador maintains anti-biotechnology laws and regulations. Trade of genetically engineered (GE) products (i.e., soybean and soybean products, cotton, and corn) however continues. Beginning in August 2014, Ecuador will require mandatory labeling of food and beverage products containing more than 0.9 percent transgenic content. FAS Quito believes this could adversely affect the import of GEcontent products. Ecuador justifies its actions claiming that the measure’s objectives are to prevent unfair practices that may affect consumer rights. It also aims to prevent unfair competition arising between traders selling products with genetically engineered content and those who do not.
