Argentina’s Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, under the Ministry of Economy, has announced the update and simplification of its regulatory framework for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) intended for agricultural, agri-food, and agro-industrial use. Adopted through Resolution 255/2026, the new rules apply to both experimental and commercial activities and are intended to strengthen a clear regulatory environment, improve investment predictability, and keep pace with scientific and technological progress in the sector.
The new resolution replaces the previous framework established under Resolution 763/11. It streamlines procedures by introducing more precise technical criteria, shortening evaluation timelines, lowering costs, and removing unnecessary administrative requirements. While the earlier resolution played an important role in setting general guidelines, the passage of time has made its replacement necessary in order to reflect developments in the field, according to a press release.
Over the years, the use of GMOs in agriculture has expanded into the agri-food and agro-industrial sectors, leading to new applications and proposals involving both products and derived by-products. This expansion has contributed to higher productivity, increased raw material exports, and the production of safe food in the country.
The purpose of the updated regulations is to organize the applicable procedures and evaluations according to the type of organism and its intended use, while maintaining oversight of agroecosystem safety, food suitability for humans and animals, and the protection of export markets.
Argentina has held a leading position in the regulation and promotion of GMO development in agriculture since these activities began in 1991. The new framework is designed to ensure that GMOs belonging to species used in agriculture, or with potential agricultural applications, are safe at both the experimental and commercial stages, without affecting exports.
From 1996 to the present, the Argentine state has approved 134 genetically modified products. Of those, 38 were authorized since the start of the current administration, representing nearly 28% of all commercially approved developments of this kind in the country over the past 30 years.
Through this reform, the national government says it is continuing to build modern regulatory procedures that support the sector’s technological transformation, encourage investment and value creation, and reinforce Argentina’s position as a leading player in production-oriented biotechnology.
