Land-use planning is essential for Chile to establish itself as a safe, competitive, and sustainable food producer. Guided by this conviction, ChileCarne participated in the launch of a new platform developed by Universidad de Los Andes to provide information and accelerate the approval of land-use planning instruments.
One of the main challenges facing the Chilean agri-food industry is transitioning toward a land management system that provides certainty, streamlines regulatory processes, and promotes sustainable development. For the meat industry, such an update is sorely needed, as it enables planning operations with clear rules aligned with environmental legislation and in harmony with surrounding communities.
Contributing to more transparent and efficient planning, Universidad de Los Andes launched a digital platform that systematizes timelines for the preparation and approval of land-use planning instruments (IPTs). ChileCarne welcomed the platform as an opportunity for authorities and legislators, who are currently working on several bills in Congress to improve land-use management, including:
– Amendments to Decree-Laws Nos. 2,695 and 3,516 to strengthen oversight of irregular rural land divisions, a significant concern for ChileCarne.
– The regulation on property subdivision for real estate purposes, protecting agricultural use, and requiring environmental impact studies.
– A bill enshrining the right to decent housing and citizen participation in land-use planning processes.
In this context, platforms like the one from Universidad de Los Andes are particularly relevant and welcomed by ChileCarne, as they provide timely, high-quality information that contributes to knowledge, continuous improvement, and more effective public policy. “From the association’s perspective, regulatory and land-use certainty is an essential requirement for operating and growing in harmony with communities and the environment. The platform is a significant step forward in identifying bottlenecks, monitoring actual processing times, and providing data for better decision-making. For the white meat industry, efficient and transparent land-use planning is not only a technical challenge but a requirement for Chile’s sustainable development. We need clear rules and timely processes that protect nature while supporting the food production that Chile and the world demand,” said Daniela Álvarez, ChileCarne’s Sustainability Manager.
Álvarez added that having an updated and robust regulatory framework is critical to address risks such as contamination of natural resources, loss of productive soils and biodiversity, while allowing Chile to strengthen productivity. “Unlike most countries, where environmental regulations are based on sound land-use planning, in Chile, these regulations lack a legal basis that defines and protects different land uses. This has allowed unplanned urban growth and created incompatibilities that threaten the country’s sustainability and food security.” Without sound land management, Chile jeopardizes its sustainability. Better, more agile, and efficient land-use planning is required, capable of protecting nature while enabling growth.
Chile’s Minister of Agriculture, Esteban Valenzuela, has emphasized that although rural subdivisions are not banned, the government is reinforcing the inspection of irregular subdivisions through coordination among SAG, the Ministry of Housing, and municipalities to safeguard agricultural land use and prevent regulatory distortions.
The industry looks ahead
For the white meat production and export sector, clear regulations not only reduce risks and costs but also foster trust with local communities and governments. “It’s critical to strengthen current regulations to prevent illegal situations and land-use incompatibility, which are frequent today and lack necessary controls to safeguard agriculture in rural areas. The goal is to prevent urban sprawl, which ultimately hurts the industry, natural resources, and even puts the population at risk,” Daniela Álvarez explained.
ChileCarne provides support to its members on legislative and regulatory changes by monitoring progress, intervening when necessary to provide clarifications or opinions, and keeping member companies informed. “Our goal is to ensure the agroindustry can continue operating and contributing to innovation, employment, and regional development. Initiatives like this platform align with the sector’s objectives and support its growth and progress,” she noted.
