By KYIV. Dec 7 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The Verkhovna Rada intends to increase administrative liability for improper handling of genetically modified organisms and increase fines for relevant offenses.
Bill No. 5840 amending the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses to toughen responsibility in the sphere of handling GMOs was adopted at a parliament meeting on Thursday by 280 MPs (with the minimum required 226), MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak (Holos parliamentary faction) said in his Telegram channel.
According to an explanatory note to the document, the existing system of state supervision over the use of GMO products in agriculture is imperfect, which creates prerequisites for the illegal use of such products in Ukraine. At the same time, the legislation of Ukraine, which establishes liability in the field of handling GMOs, is ineffective due to too low fines for violating the handling of such products.
Thus, the bill provides for an increase in the administrative fine for violating the procedure, rules and requirements for handling GMOs during research and testing in UAH 3,400-5,100 for citizens and UAH 11,900-17,000 for officials, and for the sale of GMO products in violation of the law – a fine of UAH 3,400-5,100 for citizens and UAH 3,400-6,800 for officials.
According to the explanatory note, the adoption of the bill will lead to a decrease in the number of administrative offenses related to non-compliance with the law in the field of handling GMOs.
As reported, in the middle of November 2022, the Rada adopted at the first reading bill No. 5839, modernizing the scope of handling GMOs and improving the system for assessing their risks regarding their possible impact on human health and the environment.
The adoption of this document will make it possible to delineate the powers of public authorities in order to eliminate duplication of functions in the field of handling GMOs; improve the GMO risk assessment system regarding the likely impact on human health and the environment.
