Focal Point Information

E-mail:

[email protected]

Country:

Papua New Guinea

Organization/agency name (Full name):

Department of Agriculture and Livestock

Contact person name:

Elias M.Taia

Website:

http://None

Physical full address:

Agrofood Safety & Codex PNG Unit, Science & Technology Branch, Department of Agriculture & Livestock, P. Box 2033, Port Moresby, NCD, Papua New Guinea

Phone number:

+(675) 300 8700

Fax number:

+(675) 321 1387

Country introduction

Summary:

Papua New Guinea GM PLATFORM PROFILE

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has ratified the Cartagena Protocol on Biological Diversity in 2005, and is party to the Convention on Biological Diversity. A Draft Biosafety and Biotechnology Policy and Bill (2005) has been developed. This framework was generated by the National Biosafety and Biotechnology Committee (NBBC). The mandate of this policy lies with the National Focal Point, which is the Environment Conservation and Protection Authority (ECPA); however, currently the NBBC remains dormant. Nonetheless, PNG has an active National Codex Committee (NCC), in which the ECPA is represented. The NCC is responsible for addressing Agro Food safety and Codex standards development and other related technical issues such as GM-Platform and Sanitary and Phytosanitary issues under the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Compliance Policy (2011) under the auspice of the Department of Agriculture & Livestock, which emphasises the integrated and/or coordinated approach mechanism. PNG, however, adopts the Codex Alimentarius Commission guidelines and codes of practices for the conduct of safety assessment of food materials derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) developed through the use of modern biotechnology, and uses the Codex Principles for risk analysis on food derived from such organisms.

Framework

Regulatory framework:

My country is in the process in developing a regulatory framework that requires the competent authority to conduct safety assessment of GM food.

Structure for GM food safety assessment:

My country does not have a structure for GM food safety assessment.

Supplemental information:

Contact details of the competent authority(s) responsible for the safety assessment and the product applicant:

Department of Environment & Conservation and Department of Agriculture & Livestock

Assessment

GM food safety assessment guidelines:

My country follows the relevant Codex Guidelines or national/regional guidelines that are in line with the Codex Guidelines in conducting safety assessment of GM food.

Conduct of GM food safety assessment:

My country has never conducted food safety assessment of GM food but is planning to conduct such assessment in the near future.

Supplemental information on the implementation:

Stacked events

Regulation of stacked events:

There is no regulations in my country on stacked events.

Supplemental information on the stacked events:

Production and trade

GM food/feed production:

My country does not produce any GM food or feed.

GM food/feed imports:

My country allows imports GM food or feed upon authorization.

Supplemental information on the production and trade:

LLP/AP incidents

LLP/AP incidents:

My country does not monitor LLP/AP situations.

Supplemental information on the LLP/AP incidents:

Labelling requirement

Labelling requirement:

My country has a mandatory and positive labeling regulation on GM food (i.e., It contains GMO).

Supplemental information on the Labelling requirement:

Relevant links to documents and information prepared by the competent authority responsible for the safety assessment