The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture convened a meeting of the Working Group established to ensure the effective implementation and enforcement of the legislation governing living genetically modified organisms (LMGOs).

During the meeting, the parties focused on the practical implementation of the amendments introduced by the Law of Georgia on Living Genetically Modified Organisms, the development of the relevant secondary normative acts and the measures required to ensure the Ministry’s institutional readiness.

“The Parliament of Georgia has adopted amendments to the Law of Georgia on Living Genetically Modified Organisms, establishing the legal framework for the import and processing of living genetically modified organisms (excluding maize, wheat, and grapevine) authorized for use within the territory of Georgia solely for the production of animal feed. Effective enforcement of this legislation requires the development of comprehensive secondary legal acts, alongside ensuring the systemic and institutional readiness of the Ministry and its relevant agencies. Accordingly, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture has established a dedicated Working Group, which is actively engaged in drafting the required secondary legislation while also identifying the key institutional needs and priority areas that must be addressed to ensure the Ministry is fully prepared to implement the new legal framework”, - said First Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Nino Tandilashvili.

Under the amendments adopted by the Parliament of Georgia, the Law on Living Genetically Modified Organisms establishes a legal framework permitting the import and processing of certain living genetically modified organisms solely for the production of animal feed, excluding maize, wheat, and grapevine.

Pursuant to the law, the principle prohibiting the environmental release, placing on the market, and import of living genetically modified organisms remains unchanged in Georgia.

A limited exception applies only to those living genetically modified organisms included in a list approved by the Government of Georgia, and solely where they are used for the production of animal feed.

The amendments also introduce mandatory licensing for relevant activities, require strict compliance with biosafety standards, ensure traceability of genetically modified organisms, and establish effective mechanisms to prevent unintended release into the environment.

Licenses will be issued only for living genetically modified organisms that are registered in the European Union Register of Genetically Modified Food and Feed and included in the list approved by the Government of Georgia. The import of genetically modified maize, wheat, and grapevine for human consumption into Georgia remains strictly prohibited. The Deputies of the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Lasha Avaliani, Lasha Dolidze, and Zurab Ezugbaia; Director of the State Laboratory of Agriculture, Irakli Guledani; the Head of the National Environment Agency, Elene Ghubianuri; the Deputy Head of the Department of Environmental Supervision, Neli Korkotadze; the Deputy Head of the National Food Agency, Zurab Lipartia; and the Heads of the relevant departments of the Ministry attended the meeting.