Ministerial Agreement 063: Technical Guide for the Use of Seeds or Crops Obtained Through Precision Breeding Techniques

The Ministerial Agreement establishes a technical guide that defines the procedure to determine if a seed or crop obtained through precision breeding techniques can be registered as a conventional organism according to Ecuadorian regulations. This regulatory framework seeks to regulate seeds or crops obtained with new plant breeding techniques without opposing the provisions of Ecuador's Constitution, providing a legal outlet for local research. The technical guide establishes clear definitions about precision breeding techniques, genetically modified organisms and conventional seed systems. It creates a Preliminary Analysis Request (SAP) and Preliminary Guidance Consultation (COP) procedure through the Technical Seed Committee. The framework seeks to harmonize technical criteria at the regional level while preserving interregional commercial exchange.