The Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Committee, in the I reading and together with the accompanying draft laws, considered the draft law on Living Genetically Modified Organisms.

The legislative package, initiated by Members of Parliament and submitted under an expedited procedure, was presented by one of its initiators, Chair of the Economic Policy Committee, Shota Berekashvili.

According to the draft law, the amendments concern the legal regulation of the import and use of living GMOs.

Specifically, under strict state control, the import of living GMOs into Georgia and their processing will be permitted solely for the purpose of producing animal feed.

This activity will be subject to mandatory licensing. A license will be issued only for those living genetically modified organisms that are authorized in Georgia and registered in the European Union Register of Genetically Modified Food and Feed. At the same time, the import of living genetically modified corn, wheat, and grapevine varieties will remain prohibited.

Under the draft law, these activities will be subject to state supervision, ensuring strict governmental control over all stages of the import, transportation, storage, and processing of living genetically modified organisms intended for animal feed production.

In addition, the scope of information included in the unified register of living genetically modified organisms will be expanded, and the powers of the relevant state authorities regarding import control and supervision procedures will be further clarified.