Kuwait
Country introduction:
Kuwait has demonstrated its commitment to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and the safe use of modern biotechnology through its participation in the international biodiversity framework. Kuwait ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) through Law No. 1 of 2002 and became a Party to the Convention on 31 October 2002. Kuwait subsequently acceded to both the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing on 30 August 2017, following the adoption of Law No. 6 of 2017 for the Cartagena Protocol and Law No. 9 of 2017 for the Nagoya Protocol. In line with its CBD commitments, Kuwait developed and submitted its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), with the second version submitted to the CBD in 2019, providing a national framework for biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of biological resources and genetic resources, and integration of biodiversity considerations into national planning. Kuwait has also recognized the importance of biosafety and biotechnology governance through national initiatives, including efforts to establish national biotechnology and genetic engineering committees and a National Biosafety Committee, as identified in its biodiversity strategy and earlier national biotechnology initiatives.
Kuwait has also developed a food safety regulatory framework to protect public health and ensure the safety and quality of food throughout the food chain. The Public Authority for Food and Nutrition (PAFN), established under Law No. 112 of 2013 and amended by Law No. 16 of 2019, is the principal authority responsible for food-safety regulation, including food importation, production, processing, handling, transportation, storage, distribution and sale. The framework is supported by regulations on food control, health licensing and imported food, providing a legal basis for inspection, laboratory testing, licensing, import control and enforcement. Kuwait has also been a member of the Codex Alimentarius Commission since 1964 and participates in the FAO/WHO international food standards system, with PAFN serving as the national Codex Contact Point. Codex standards provide an important reference for Kuwait in areas including food contaminants, additives, residues, hygiene, labeling and food analysis, and complement national and GCC food-safety requirements.
In addition, Kuwait is also a member of the GCC countries and follows regulations set by the Office of Agricultural Affairs in Dubai. The OAA permits the import of plant-based GM products. The GCC4 countries are in process of establishing several technical regulations for labeling of GE food. However, the import and production of animal based GE products are prohibited.
Kuwait has also developed a food safety regulatory framework to protect public health and ensure the safety and quality of food throughout the food chain. The Public Authority for Food and Nutrition (PAFN), established under Law No. 112 of 2013 and amended by Law No. 16 of 2019, is the principal authority responsible for food-safety regulation, including food importation, production, processing, handling, transportation, storage, distribution and sale. The framework is supported by regulations on food control, health licensing and imported food, providing a legal basis for inspection, laboratory testing, licensing, import control and enforcement. Kuwait has also been a member of the Codex Alimentarius Commission since 1964 and participates in the FAO/WHO international food standards system, with PAFN serving as the national Codex Contact Point. Codex standards provide an important reference for Kuwait in areas including food contaminants, additives, residues, hygiene, labeling and food analysis, and complement national and GCC food-safety requirements.
In addition, Kuwait is also a member of the GCC countries and follows regulations set by the Office of Agricultural Affairs in Dubai. The OAA permits the import of plant-based GM products. The GCC4 countries are in process of establishing several technical regulations for labeling of GE food. However, the import and production of animal based GE products are prohibited.
Regulatory framework:
My country does not have 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.
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GM food safety assessment guidelines:
My country does not conduct safety assessment of GM food but the country has, or the country is in the process of developing national/regional guidelines that are not in line with the Codex Guidelines in conducting safety assessment of GM food.
Conduct of GM food safety assessment:
My country has never conducted safety assessment of GM food and will not (be able to) conduct such assessment in the near future.
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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):
GM food/feed production:
My country does not produce any GM food or feed.
GM food/feed imports:
My country may import GM food or feed and there is no authorization process.
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LLP/AP incidents:
I do not know if my country has faced any LLP/AP issues in the last 10 years.
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Labelling requirement:
My country does not have any labeling regulations/policies on GM food.
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