Indonesia to Revise Biosafety Rules of Genetically Modified Product to Boost Food Self-Sufficiency

The Government plans to revise Government Regulation No. 21 of 2005 on the Biosafety of Genetically Modified Products (“PP 21/2005”) as part of its efforts to accelerate the achievement of national food self-sufficiency. The regulation specifically governs the biosafety of genetically modified products (Produk Rekayasa Genetik – “PRG”) as an implementation of the Government's obligation to protect the environment and biodiversity.

Widiastuti, Deputy for Coordination of Food and Agricultural Enterprises at the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs, stated that PP 21/2005 has been in force for too long and requires updating. According to her, the revision is necessary to ensure that Indonesia's regulatory framework remains aligned with advances in superior seed innovation aimed at increasing national agricultural productivity. 

"We are currently preparing the revision and coordinating it with the relevant ministries and agencies, as the regulation has been in place for quite some time and indeed needs to be updated," she told Hukumonline.

Widiastuti expressed hope that the revised regulation would facilitate greater access to, and the development of, agricultural seed varieties that are more productive and resistant to pests through the safe application of genetic engineering technology. She also expressed confidence that the regulatory update would serve as a strategic measure to provide legal certainty for the development of superior seed varieties based on Indonesia's genetic resources, thereby supporting the achievement of national food self-sufficiency.