Uruguay
Country introduction:
The Uruguayan National Biosafety System (SNB for its acronym in Spanish) on GM vegetables applies the Risk Analysis methodology in a case by case basis inluding enviromental and food and feed risk assessment, risk management and risk communication. The National Biosafety Cabinet (GNBio) is the competent authority to define policies on GM vegetables and is responsible to make decisions regarding each aplication. GNBio is integrated by the Ministers of: Agriculture, MGAP (chair); Health (MSP); Economy (MEF); Environment (MVOTMA); Foreign Affairs (MRREE); and Industry (MIEM).
The Risk Management Commission (CGR) is integrated by one delegate of each of the ministries represented within GNBio. The CGR advises GNBio on biosafety of GM vegetables issues.
The Risk Assessment in Biosafety (ERB) is integrated by experts proposed by the CGR and designated by GNBio among specialists in the different areas of risk assessment. ERB is responsible for assuring a case-by-case risk assessment based on science and technical criteria. ERB coordinates the analysis of the risk assesment with The Institutional Articulation Committee (CAI) which is integrated by delegates of nine different national research institutions, From where experts are sourced to form a network of evaluators, which currently consists of between 37 and 40 experts organized in different ad hoc groups. The Ad hoc groups are specialized in different areas of knowledge related to the analysis of the risk assement like molecular characterization and identification, environmental and food safety aspects as well as statistical analysis.
The Risk Management Commission (CGR) is integrated by one delegate of each of the ministries represented within GNBio. The CGR advises GNBio on biosafety of GM vegetables issues.
The Risk Assessment in Biosafety (ERB) is integrated by experts proposed by the CGR and designated by GNBio among specialists in the different areas of risk assessment. ERB is responsible for assuring a case-by-case risk assessment based on science and technical criteria. ERB coordinates the analysis of the risk assesment with The Institutional Articulation Committee (CAI) which is integrated by delegates of nine different national research institutions, From where experts are sourced to form a network of evaluators, which currently consists of between 37 and 40 experts organized in different ad hoc groups. The Ad hoc groups are specialized in different areas of knowledge related to the analysis of the risk assement like molecular characterization and identification, environmental and food safety aspects as well as statistical analysis.
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):
Relevant contact details:
Nathional Biosafety System (SNB for its acronym in Spanish) office. E-mail: snb@mgap.gub.uy; Adress: Constituyente 1476, 2nd floor, 203 and 270 offices, Montevideo 11200, Uruguay.
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:
On a case-by-case basis, some stacked events may have reduced/simplified assessment requirements.
Supplemental information (stacked events):
In the case of stacked events whose individual events have not been previously analyzed, a full risk assessment is conducted. For stacked events which individual events have already been analyzed, only an assessment of potential interactions between the proteins expressed in the individual events is performed.
In the case of cross-pollinated species, such as maize, if a favorable conclusion is reached, all individual events and possible combinations are authorized. In the case of self-pollinated species, such as soybean, the applicant must indicate whether they wish to be authorized all individual events and their combinations or only the stacked event presented.
In the case of cross-pollinated species, such as maize, if a favorable conclusion is reached, all individual events and possible combinations are authorized. In the case of self-pollinated species, such as soybean, the applicant must indicate whether they wish to be authorized all individual events and their combinations or only the stacked event presented.
GM food/feed production:
My country produces GM food or feed for commercial and research purposes.
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):
Uruguay applies the mechanism for LLP approved in Mercosur (Res. GMC 23/19 of June 5th, 2019).
Labelling requirement:
My country has a mandatory and positive labeling regulation & allows a voluntary and negative labeling on GM food.
Supplemental information (labelling requirement):
Uruguay has a mandatory and positive labeling regulation on GM food only in the capital of the country, Montevideo. At the same time the Decree 353/008 allows a voluntary and negative labeling on GM food.
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