FAO GM Foods Platform

Syrian Arab Republic

Country introduction:
Syrian Arab Republic is party on the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety since 2004, so that it obligates about GMOs and LOMs rules, at national and international level.
the Syrian law are containing Procedures to deal with GMOs, which are banned on the markrts if It is not compatible with law.
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 is in the process in developing a structure for GM food safety assessment.
Supplemental information (regulatory framework):
Syria after retified on the Cartagena Biosafety Protocol, It had prepared the national Bisafety framework in 2006, depends on this framework there were 7 national authorities responsible on dealing with LMOs and GMOs. and there were one references laboratory for analyses, then it prepared proposed project for implementation this framework and supmitted it to GEF for funding in 2011, due the situation inside Syria from 2011 till now the GEF did not give us the sized fund for this project. In 2012 Syria prepared the national biosafety law which announced  under law No. 24 for 2012
 
Relevant contact details:
Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform: Follow up on the implementation of all relevant GMOs and their products prepared for human consumption and agricultural use (plant and animal), veterinary and feed.
B. The Ministry of Economy and Trade prepares and implements legislation related to the provisions of foreign trade, the suppression of fraud and fraud, consumer protection, property protection and food safety in respect of genetically modified organisms and their products in accordance with their powers.
C. Ministry of Health: Implementation of all matters related to the control and use of genetically modified organisms and their products intended for human, food, medical, therapeutic or pharmaceutical use in the containment area and to evaluate the potential impacts on human health.
Dr.. Ministry of Local Administration and Environment: Implements of all relevant GMOs and their products prepared for bio-biological treatment, assist of the impacts of genetically modified organisms on the environment in cooperation with the relevant competent authority, It  management of the Biosafety Clearing-House (BCH).It responsible on the directly release of the LOMs on ito the environment , secure the Information relating to the cases, products and effects of GMOs and the actions to brovide the BCH at the CBD convention.
e. Ministry of Industry: Follow up the issuance of specifications related to GMOs and their products prepared for human consumption, animal use and feed, and to monitor and issue corresponding conformity certificates after approval by the Committee.
And. Ministry of Higher Education (General Authority for Biotechnology): Setting the regulatory bases for research and development Future plans related to biosecurity in coordination with research institutions in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 33 of 2002.
G. General Directorate of Customs: Implementation of the provisions of this law in coordination with the Ministry and the competent authority.
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 food safety assessment of GM food but is planning to conduct such assessment in the near future.
Supplemental information (assessment):
After Syria prepared the national biosafety framework, It has worked with  Syrian codex commission for the GMOs and It prepared the draft of n line with the Codex Guidelines in conducting safety assessment of GM food.
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 may import GM food or feed and there is no authorization process.
Supplemental information (production and trade):
 In Syria according to the law No.24 for 2012 related biosafety the importing and exporting of GMOs   (in ant types) must be under the authorization process form the national competent authorities ,
LLP/AP incidents:
My country does not monitor LLP/AP situations.
Supplemental information (LLP/AP incidents):
Labelling requirement:
My country does not have any labeling regulations/policies on GM food.
Supplemental information (labelling requirement):