The Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Committee reviewed, in the II reading, the draft law On Living Genetically Modified Organisms and supported its adoption.

The draft law was presented by one of its initiators, Chair of the Economic Policy Committee Shota Berekashvili.

According to the draft law, amendments are introduced to the legal framework governing the import and use of living genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

The purpose of the amendments is to establish a strict legal framework under which the import into Georgia of living GMOs registered in the European Union Register of Genetically Modified Food and Feed, as well as their processing exclusively for the production of animal feed, will be permitted.

Such activities will be subject to mandatory licensing, risk assessment procedures, and state supervision.

The import of living genetically modified corn, wheat, and grapevine varieties into the territory of Georgia will be prohibited.

At the same time, the introduction of living GMOs into the environment, their placement on the market, importation (except for cases expressly permitted by law), and re-export from the territory of Georgia will remain prohibited.

Consequential amendments arising from the draft law On Living Genetically Modified Organisms are also introduced to the Laws of Georgia On Environmental Protection, On Licenses and Permits, and On License and Permit Fees, as well as to the Criminal Code and the Administrative Offences Code.