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Import prohibitions are maintained on used vehicles and used motorcycles, animals or plants in danger of extinction, toxic and hazardous waste and ozone-depleting substances for environmental purposes in accordance with Chile’s international commitments under CITES, Basel Convention, Montreal Protocol.

Prior authorization is required for importation of some wild fauna and flora specimens under CITES.

Prior authorization is required for importation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to ensure that their introduction into the environment has no negative effects.

Protection is not granted if an invention is contrary to, among others, animals or plants, or the environment.

Under Decree No. 77, the 60-days comment period provided after publication of the notice cannot be extended in emergency situations involving environmental protection.

Chilean agricultural policy aims, among others, to foster the sustainable use of natural resources and the protection of biodiversity.

The Ministry of Agriculture’s Strategic Agenda 2008-2010 envisages several areas of action, including the protection of the environment and indigenous forests.

With the regard to hydroelectric power stations, generation projects must obtain an environmental permit and others authorizations.

Law No. 20.257 of April 2008 on non-conventional renewable energy sources stipulates that as from 2010 electricity companies that sell power from the grid will have to prove to the CDEC that 5 per cent of their annual sales comes from non-conventional renewable energy sources, such as geothermal, wind, solar and biomass, among others; this percentage will increase annually up to 10 per cent in 2024 and tax incentives are envisaged by way of compensation.

Under the General Law on Fisheries and Aquaculture (Supreme Decree No. 430 of 1991), access to fishing is regulated in order to maintain a sustainable level of exploitation of fisheries resources.