Genetically modified plants under control

The Cabinet of Ministers on 11 December adopted rules establishing hazard identified flowing from the country of genetically modified plants.

They stem from the law "On the protection of genetic resources of cultivated plants and their effective use," which came into force in July 2012.

In order to identify areas of research with the GMP and related hazards at the Scientific and Technical Council they created the Expert Council (EC). It includes representatives of the Ministries of Agriculture, Health, Environment and Natural Resources, and the State Committee for Standardization, Metrology and Patents.

EC gives opinions on the results of his research. In the event that GMP appears in the country, ES forms a Research Group, with the participation of scientists and qualified professionals. The Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan approves the work plan of the group, with specific deadlines. Research is conducted to study the risk of GMP planted near crops or grown near the elements of the natural flora, fauna (including bees and beetles), as well as the human body.

Chairman of the NGO Association of Free Consumers Eyyub Huseynov welcomed the decision of the Government, at the same time stated that the effect of its implementation will be low. "In 2004, Azerbaijan joined the Carthage Protocol on the protection of biological diversity. However, the analysis of the consumer market and contacts with farmers indicate that the country's agriculture uses genetically modified organisms," he said. - 08D-