Panama

Overview

Area km²: 75,417

Population: 4,176,869

Capital: Panama City

ISO 3166: PA

Population density:
55.4 hab/km²

National flower:
Holy Ghost orchid (Peristeria elata)

Financial services, tourism and logistics are the main sectors of Panamanian economy. Panama’s main agricultural products are bananas, cacao, coconut, chicken, beef, shrimps, maize, potato, rice and sugarcane. Panama exports mainly bananas, fish meal and fish oil, shrimp and beef. Panama is a net importer of staple crops and foods.

GM Crops

Does the country plant GM crops?

For the time being, the country does not commercially produce GM crops.

Are there local developments?

For the time being, there are no local developments of GM crops in advanced stages.

Benefits of GM crops

For the time being, Panama does not grow GM crops.

Regulation of GM crops

2002

Since

Brief description of the regulatory framework

The Ministry of Agricultural Development, within the Plant Health Directorate, is the competent authority to issue policies on plant health and to contribute to the protection of the environment and health. The Ministry of Agricultural Development grants permits for import, research, experimentation, transport, release into the environment, production and market placement involving GM plants and their byproducts, whether obtained within the country or abroad. Also, we must mention the National Commission for the Biosafety of Genetically Modified Organisms - Agriculture, Environment and Health Sectoral Committees established by Law 48/2002.

• Regulatory framework

GM animals

Does the country produce GM animals?

For the time being, the country does not commercially produce GM animals.

Brief description of the regulatory framework for GM animals

The Panamanian regulatory framework allows for the possibility to carry out trials with and commercially produce GM animals. The National Biosafety Commission for Genetically Modified Organisms is in charge of the biosafety assessment. In the case of GM fish, the biosafety assessment is performed by the Institutional Biosafety Committee for Genetically Modified Organisms of the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama.

• Regulatory framework

Are there local developments?