By KYIV. Nov 16 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The Verkhovna Rada intends to regulate the sphere of handling genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and improve the system for assessing their risks regarding their possible impact on human health and the environment.
The adoption as a basis of relevant bill No. 5839 on state regulation of genetic engineering activities and state control over the handling of GMOs and genetically modified products to ensure food security was supported by 247 MPs at a parliament meeting on Wednesday (with the required 226 votes), member of the Holos faction Yaroslav Zhelezniak said on Telegram.
According to an explanatory note to the document, its adoption will allow delimiting the powers of state authorities in order to eliminate duplication of functions in the field of handling GMOs, to improve the GMO risk assessment system regarding the possible impact on human health and the environment.
In addition, the document will allow the introduction of European mechanisms for the state registration of GMOs in Ukraine, improve the requirements for labeling GMO products and introduce rules for their traceability, as well as strengthen state control in the field of handling GMOs and establish liability for violation of legislation in this area.
Thus, the adoption of the draft law will make it possible to achieve systemic compatibility of Ukrainian legislation with EU legislation in the field of handling GMOs, which is provided for by Ukraine’s obligations under the Association Agreement.
