Seed regulation debates intensify in Argentina and Chile

In Argentina, the Asociación de Semilleros Argentinos (ASA) has signaled a willingness to negotiate regarding the modernization of seed laws. The association has revised its initial proposal to expand the surface area covered by exceptions to payment for personal use. ASA stated that the goal of legislative updates should be to create conditions for increased investment, innovation, and technological development rather than merely redistributing existing sector value.

In Chile, regional authorities and agricultural organizations are protesting new regulations proposed by the Servicio Agrícola Ganadero (SAG). The proposed norms aim to increase formality in seed sales through requirements for registration, purity analysis, germination testing, and traceability. Critics, including peasant and agroecological organizations, argue these measures could threaten genetic biodiversity, food sovereignty, and the traditional exchange of native seeds, particularly impacting small-scale family farmers and indigenous communities.