E-mail:
Country:
Tunisia
Organization/agency name (Full name):
Centre technique de l'agroalimentaire
Contact person name:
SanaJABALLAH
Website:
Physical full address:
12,rue de l'usine2035-charguia2
Phone number:
0021622714064
Fax number:
0021671941080
Country introduction
Summary:
Tunisia has ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity in May 1993 and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in June 2002, and embarked on a process to ensure controlled management of GMOs and derived products to ensure the preservation of biodiversity, the environment and public health, on the basis of the precautionary principle and also transparency towards the consumer.
In this context, Tunisia has benefited from several capacity building projects funded by UNEP-GEF for the implementation of its National Biosafety Framework. In accordance with its international obligations and national development priorities; Most important were the Implementation of the National Biosafety Framework, Effective Participation in the Biosafety Clearing House (BCH 1 and 2).
The main strategic, institutional and legal measures adopted by Tunisia were mainly:
1- The development of a National Biosafety Strategy and Action
2- The creation of a National Biosafety Commission
3- Preparation of a draft law on Genetically Modified Organisms
Framework
Regulatory framework:
My country is in the process in developing 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:
A national biosafety committee (NBC) has been created under the direction of the Ministry of the Environment by (DGEQV). the NCB is responsible for the work of the sub-committees (National Biosafety Framework, National Network of GMO Control Laboratories, Communication, Awareness and Public Participation in Biosafety).
The CNB involved a Various of stakeholders members, such as the Ministries of Agriculture, Health, Industry, Trade, Scientific Research, Justice and their relevant governmental organisms like Technical centers, biotechnology centers, and also civil society.
Contact details of the competent authority(s) responsible for the safety assessment and the product applicant:
According to the new food safety law (2019) in tunisia.the National Agency of Sanitary and Environmental Control Products (ANCSEP) was charged as a competent authority for food safety risk assessment including GM Food safety assessment.
The ANCSEP has conducted in 2005-2007 an Exploratory study on the presence of GMOs in raw materials for animal feeding for the assessment of the presence level of GMOs in food in Tunisia. The results are been published in a book in 2007
Assessment
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 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 on the implementation:
Tunisia now has risk assessment and risk management methods developed risks; write statutory forms for applications or demands; operational manuals for developed treatment applications; draft methodologies for monitoring the environmental effects of established LMOs; 2 draft procedures and forms for enforcement actions required for the handling, transport, use, transport and release of LMOs; Guide for monitoring and inspection; training course on (1) Methods for detection and quantification of GMOs and (2) monitoring and inspection took place;
Stacked events
Regulation of stacked events:
There is no regulations in my country on stacked events.
Supplemental information on the stacked events:
Production and trade
GM food/feed production:
My country produces GM food or feed only for research purposes.
GM food/feed imports:
My country does not import any GM food or feed (banned).
Supplemental information on the production and trade:
LLP/AP incidents
LLP/AP incidents:
My country does not monitor LLP/AP situations.
Supplemental information on the LLP/AP incidents:
Labelling requirement
Labelling requirement:
My country allows a voluntary and negative labeling on GM food.
Supplemental information on the Labelling requirement:
Relevant links to documents and information prepared by the competent authority responsible for the safety assessment
Other relevant documents:
Country information last modified:
10/05/2019
