Ukraine is creating a comprehensive system of accounting and control over GMOs. How it will work
18 April 12:35
The government has approved the procedure for maintaining the State Register of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). This was reported by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
It is about creating an integrated state information system that will allow accounting, monitoring, integration, storage and dissemination of information on registered GMOs.
The introduction of such a registry is also a necessary step to ensure transparency in the field of biotechnology, increase consumer safety and comply with Ukraine’s obligations under the Association Agreement with the European Union.
The functioning of the register of genetically modified organisms will improve the information of citizens and international partners about GMOs registered in Ukraine.
As stated in the approved procedure, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, which is the holder and administrator of the Register’s information, will provide free, round-the-clock and free access to the information contained in the Register through its official website.
Information from the Register will be provided in the form of an extract free of charge in compliance with the requirements of the Law of Ukraine “On Personal Data Protection”.
The document was developed pursuant to the Law of Ukraine “On State Regulation of Genetic Engineering Activities and State Control over Placing Genetically Modified Organisms and Products on the Market” and will come into force simultaneously with this Law in September 2026.
Ukrainian legislation strengthens control over GMOs
The Law “On State Regulation of Genetic Engineering Activities and State Control over the Circulation of Genetically Modified Organisms and Genetically Modified Products to Ensure Food Security” brings Ukrainian sectoral legislation as close as possible to European standards.
Among the innovations of the law:
– introduction of European mechanisms for state registration of GMOs and creation of a unified register;
– improvement of labeling requirements for GM products;
– improvement of the GMO risk assessment system for possible impact on human health and the environment;
– introduction of full regulation of genetic engineering activities in a closed system;
– introduction of the concepts of post-registration monitoring and traceability;
– strengthening of state control at all stages of GMO circulation (creation, testing, production/cultivation, circulation and labeling), as well as establishing liability for violation of sectoral legislation.
The Law, for example, provides for the establishment of the State Commission on GMO Risk Assessment, which, in particular
– carries out professional assessment of GMO risk,
– provides an opinion on the possible risks of GMOs
Ukraine will also have a scientific and methodological center for GMO testing.
How will the Ukrainian reality comply with the EU regulations?
In the EU, GMO legislation is strict and uncompromising. In all EU countries, except Spain and Portugal, the cultivation of GM plants is prohibited. Imports of GMOs are permitted for biofuel production and use as animal feed (but also with serious restrictions and reservations).
At the time of the law’s adoption, according to the Ukrainian Grain Association, about 5% of GMO corn, 30% of GMO soybeans, and 35-40% of GMO rapeseed were grown illegally in the country.
Therefore, experts assume that as a result of the new legislation, corn, for example, will most likely not have any GM analogues authorized for cultivation in the country.
As for beets, soybeans, and rapeseed, which are also informally genetically modified, a transition period of 5-8 years will be introduced before a complete ban on their cultivation.
When Ukraine’s accession to the EU is officially approved, all registrations of GMO varieties that are not in the European databases will be canceled.
What is the attitude to GMOs outside of Europe?
Turkey, Algeria, Madagascar, Kyrgyzstan, Bhutan, Saudi Arabia, Ecuador, Peru, Belize, and Venezuela have almost completely banned the cultivation and export of GMOs.
On the other hand, there are enough countries in the world where the attitude to GMOs is quite lenient – in particular, the United States, Brazil, Argentina, India, Canada. The United States is considered to be the most liberal, where up to 10% of GM products are officially allowed in food.
