Russia: Compulsory registration of GMO products

According to experts, it will strengthen the control over the circulation of genetically modified crops on the market, but at the same time will create a legal framework for cultivation, which will boost production. The initiative has already been welcomed by many authorities and experts.

"Already 10 varieties of genetically modified crops have passed certification in Russia. And these are only crops that have been in use for a long time abroad without any negative consequences for human health. I think that GM crops are already cultivated in Russia, but until now this area has not been under our control" - Nikolai Vlasov Deputy Head of Russian veterinary watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor report.

"State registration of GMO will bring this area out of the shadows. Currently the GMO market has no legal framework only in very conservative countries such as ours. All over the world they can reduce the cost of [meat] production using it as feed. And it's safe for health, " said the president of the Meat Board of Common Economic Space Musheg Mamikonian.

However, the initiative has not been received so well by all. Representatives of social organizations have criticised the initiative.

"If we begin to register GMO - then it won’t be long before we start to grow it on an extensive basis. And if GMO’s are safe? This question can be compared toss "Is there life on Mars." We can, of course, adopt this law and start growing GMO’s all over the country, but after that there will be no going back," Elena Sharoykina the director of the National Association for Genetic Security claim.

"A large number of studies show that GMO’s cause internal organ pathology, oncology, and infertile offspring. However, now with the entry into the WTO, Russia must "pass" all GMO’s from the US, whether it's seeds, food or animal feed,” says Irina Ermakova, Doctor of Biological Sciences, a member of the Women's Environmental Assembly of the United Nations.