Latvia
Country introduction:
As an EU Member State, Latvia complies with European Community law. Safety assessments are carried out by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Assessments include a detailed study of potential for toxic, nutritional and allergenic effects. During the evaluation of applications EFSA consults the Competent Authorities of the Member States. As a Member State of the EU Latvia implements EU law and ensure the safe circulation of genetically modified organisms by preventing the negative impact on human and animal health or the environment, preserving biological diversity, promoting the development of sustainable agriculture and biotechnology, as well as the co-existence of genetically modified crops concurrently with organic and conventional farming.
Regulatory framework:
My country has a regulatory framework that requires the competent authority to conduct safety assessment of GM food.
Structure for GM food safety assessment:
My country has competent authority, agency, organization, ministry, department, committee, commission or a system/mechanism that is tasked to conduct or review GM food safety assessment.
Supplemental information (regulatory framework):
Latvia has adopted the Law on Circulation of Genetically Modified Organisms and several sectoral legal acts connected to GMOs, based on EU legal acts.
Relevant contact details:
The process for authorizing a new GMO is based on the EU regulation on GM food and feed (1829/2003). An application for authorizing food or feed consisting of or made from a GMO must be submitted to the national authorities (In Latvia's case, it is Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment - "BIOR") . The national authority then sends the application to the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) for a risk assessment. EFSA then makes the application summary available to the public. No matter where in the EU the company applies, EFSA assesses the risks the GMO presents for the environment, human health and animal safety.
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 regularly conducts food safety assessment of GM food.
Supplemental information (assessment):
Regulation stacked events:
Stacked events require full assessment as a new GM event.
Supplemental information (stacked events):
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 (production and trade):
LLP/AP incidents:
My country has faced LLP/AP situations in the last 10 years.
Supplemental information (LLP/AP incidents):
Labelling requirement:
My country has a mandatory and positive labeling regulation on GM food (i.e., It contains GMO).
Supplemental information (labelling requirement):
Relevant links:
Upload relevant documents: