On April 24, the State Duma of the Russian Federation adopted in first reading the draft law "On amending certain legislative acts of the Russian Federation with regard to improving state regulation of genetic engineering".
In particular, the draft law imposes the ban on cultivation and breeding of genetically modified plants and animals on Russian territory with the exception of for expert review and research purposes.
Also, the draft law establishes a control procedure for releasing GMOs into the environment and monitoring the human and environmental impact of GMOs and products developed with the use of such organisms or containing such organisms, and makes it incumbent on the importers of such organisms and products to comply with the required registration procedure.
It is proposed that the Government be empowered to ban the import into Russia of the said organisms and products based on monitoring results.
Furthermore, the draft law introduces administrative responsibility for the use of GMOs in violation of the specified forms and conditions of use.
