Panama opens public consultation on drone regulations for agricultural spraying

Panama's Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA) is seeking public input on new regulations for agricultural drones. The Ministry's Directorate of Plant Health has launched a 30-day consultation period for a draft resolution that will govern the aerial application of agricultural inputs and seeds using remotely piloted aircraft systems, commonly known as drones.

The goal is to establish a clear regulatory framework for this evolving technology within the agricultural sector. MIDA emphasizes promoting the safe, efficient, and responsible use of these innovative tools.

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The initiative has as its objective to create a regulatory framework for an activity that incorporates innovative technologies into the agricultural sector and that continues in constant evolution, promoting a safe, efficient and responsible use of these tools.

According to the Directorate of Plant Health, this public consultation is crucial for strengthening and validating the proposed rules. The process aims to ensure the regulations effectively address the sector's needs while adhering to national transparency standards. Producers, companies, specialists, and the general public are invited to review the document, available on MIDA's website, and submit their observations or recommendations.

Feedback can be sent to consultapublicadnsv@mida.gob.pa. MIDA reiterates its call for participation, stressing that collective input will help consolidate a policy that supports national production through advanced aerial application technologies.

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The consultation process will allow strengthening and validating the provisions contained in the draft resolution, in order to ensure that they respond to the needs of the sector and comply with national transparency standards.