obtained this authorization.68 To obtain this last authorization from the Secretary and
CONABIA takes at least three years.69
Given the increased interest in genetically modified organisms and the high
number of registrations of new varieties that are genetically modified (Table 5), the
government decided to create a special agency in charge of advising on biotechnology
policy. By Resolution 219/2001, the Secretary created the National Advisory
Commission for Agricultural Biotechnology,70 and by Resolution 362/2003 made the
Biotechnology Area independent from the Sub-Secretary of Agricultural and Food
Policy.71 Finally, by Resolution 244/04, the Secretary eliminated these two agencies and
created the Office of Biotechnology (Oficina de Biotecnologia), which is in charge of
advising and managing all issues related to the biotechnology policy of the country.72
Pursuant to this change, the CONABIA depends directly on the Office of Biotechnology.
As we can see, the regulatory framework for biotechnological discoveries in agriculture
is in constant flux, with different agencies in charge and changes to the structure of the
management system. This differs from the more stable and well-defined system in place
in the United States.
68 See CONABIA Experience, supra note 62.
69 See id.
70 See Secretaria de Agricultura Ganaderia y Pesca [SAGyP], Resolucion No. 219/2001 (Sept. 10,
2001), available at http://infoleg.mecon.gov.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/65000-
69999/68853/norma.htm.
71 See Secretaria de Agricultura Ganaderia y Pesca [SAGyP], Resolucion No. 362/2003 (May 2, 2003),
available at http://infoleg.mecon.gov.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/80000-84999/84847/norma.htm.
72 See Secretaria de Agricultura Ganaderia y Pesca [SAGyP], Resolucion No. 244/04 (Feb. 18, 2004),
available at http://infoleg.mecon.gov.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/90000-94999/93050/norma.htm.
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