Egypt
Country introduction:
Egypt is a country situated mainly within North Africa, with its Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia, making it a trans-continental country. The economy of Egypt is one of the most diversified in the Middle East, with sectors such as tourism, agriculture, industry and services. Recent Egypt needs to meet the globalization challenge and to overcome national trade barriers and to boost competitiveness through export promotions, improving standards and trade facilitation. Due to economies of scale, regional integration has been the key for economic growth and development in Egypt. Egypt is a member of the Arab League that is currently has 22 members. It holds the FAO Regional Office for the Near East (RNE). Egypt has been a member of WTO since 1995.
Egypt is the largest Arab country by population and possesses the second largest economy in the Arab world. The total area of the country is 1,001,450 square kilometer (land 995,450 square kilometer and water 6000 square kilometer). The country is predominantly with vast desert plateau interrupted by the Nile valley and delta. In Egypt, farming is confined to less than 4% of the total land area. About 90% of the agricultural area is concentrated in the Nile delta and the rest is located within a narrow ribbon along the Nile between Aswan and Cairo (Upper Egypt) and a strip along the Mediterranean. In 2009, agricultural land represented 0.114 feddan per person as arable and permanent cropland (1 feddan = 4200 square meters). Agriculture in Egypt depends on irrigation from the Nile River. Total cultivated area increased from 5,820,000 feddans in the 80s of the past century to 8,691,427 feddans at the end of 2011, by 2,871,427 feddans increase, and at an annual rate exceeding 140,000 feddans.
The National Food Safety Agency of Egypt (NFSA) was established by the law number 1/2017 as an independent authority to protect consumers’ health and consumers’ interests by ensuring that food consumed, distributed, marketed or produced in Egypt meets the highest standards of food safety and hygiene.
NFSA is responsible for supervising, licensing, certifying, inspecting, and import/export controlling. For the purpose, NFSA is issuing mandatory rules for food control.
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 is in the process in developing a structure for GM food safety assessment.
Supplemental information (regulatory framework):
Egypt will establish a regulatory framework that requires NFSA as a competent authority to conduct safety assessment of GM food.
According to Article (3) of the law number 1/2017, NFSA main objective that is to fulfill the requirements of food safety to preserve health and safety of humans. It shall exercise all required functions and powers, and shall particularly establish procedures and rules of registration and licensing and handling of genetically modified food (GMOs) and foods containing components that are genetically modified where they relate to food safety, according to Codex Alimentarius Commission standards adopted by international bodies.
Also, NFSA is responsible to setting the necessary procedures for risk assessment, analysis, use, management, communication and awareness including setting inspection priorities with the norms of the relevant international organizations. Moreover, Propose and give opinion on relevant draft laws and regulatory decrees concerning food safety and food handling regulation. NFSA is responsible for conducting studies and researches related to food safety in order to collect relevant scientific and technical data.
According to Article (3) of the law number 1/2017, NFSA main objective that is to fulfill the requirements of food safety to preserve health and safety of humans. It shall exercise all required functions and powers, and shall particularly establish procedures and rules of registration and licensing and handling of genetically modified food (GMOs) and foods containing components that are genetically modified where they relate to food safety, according to Codex Alimentarius Commission standards adopted by international bodies.
Also, NFSA is responsible to setting the necessary procedures for risk assessment, analysis, use, management, communication and awareness including setting inspection priorities with the norms of the relevant international organizations. Moreover, Propose and give opinion on relevant draft laws and regulatory decrees concerning food safety and food handling regulation. NFSA is responsible for conducting studies and researches related to food safety in order to collect relevant scientific and technical data.
Relevant contact details:
The National Food Safety Agency of Egypt (NFSA),
110 Al Kasr Al Ainy St., Tahrir, Cairo, Egypt.
Telephone: (+202) 27933493
Fax: (+202) 27933496
Email: info@nfsa.gov.eg
Website: www.nfsa.gov.eg
110 Al Kasr Al Ainy St., Tahrir, Cairo, Egypt.
Telephone: (+202) 27933493
Fax: (+202) 27933496
Email: info@nfsa.gov.eg
Website: www.nfsa.gov.eg
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 (assessment):
Egypt follows the relevant Codex Guidelines and other regional guidelines that are in line with the Codex Guidelines in conducting safety assessment of GM food.
With the reference of the international practice, Egypt is planning to conduct GM food assessment.
With the reference of the international practice, Egypt is planning to conduct GM food assessment.
Regulation stacked events:
The country is in the process of developing relevant policies on assessment of stacked events, or there is no specific regulation on stacked events.
Supplemental information (stacked events):
For imports of food and feed derived from biotech varieties, the varieties with stacked events approved in the country-of-origin are accepted.
GM food/feed production:
My country produces GM food or feed only for research purposes.
GM food/feed imports:
My country allows imports GM food or feed upon authorization.
Supplemental information (production and trade):
Egypt government permits biotech imports so long as country-of-origin also consumes these products.
LLP/AP incidents:
My country does not monitor LLP/AP situations.
Supplemental information (LLP/AP incidents):
Monitoring and testing of GM foods are in the planning phase.
Egypt is drafting LLP/AP policy. As a precautionary action, the Country adopt a policy for recognizing country-of-origin approvals to prevent LLP issues from occurring.
Egypt is drafting LLP/AP policy. As a precautionary action, the Country adopt a policy for recognizing country-of-origin approvals to prevent LLP issues from occurring.
Labelling requirement:
My country has a mandatory and negative labeling regulation on GM food (i.e., It does not contain GMO).
Supplemental information (labelling requirement):
Currently, Egypt has a mandatory and negative labeling regulation on GM food (i.e., It does not contain GMO).
Based on the planned risk assessment studies, this requirement will be re-evaluated.
Based on the planned risk assessment studies, this requirement will be re-evaluated.
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