E-mail:
Country:
Guyana
Organization/agency name (Full name):
Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department
Contact person name:
Marlan Cole
Website:
Physical full address:
Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) Building, University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus, Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara.
Phone number:
592-222-8857
Fax number:
592-222-8856
Country introduction
Summary:
Country information about GM food and Safety assessment
Guyana is located on the tip of the South American Continent and share border with Suriname to the East, Brazil to the South and Venezuela to the West. North of Guyana is the Atlantic Ocean. Guyana is an area of 216,000 square kilometers, with a population of only seven hundred fifty six thousand (756,000) inhabitants. Guyana is filled with tropical rain forest, with distinct plant and trees. Guyana is the only English speaking country on the South American continent. Major languages: English, indigenous languages, Creole, Hindi, Urdu Major Religions: Christianity, Hinduism, Islam Life expectancy: 67 years (men), 73 years (women) (UN) Monetary unit: 1 Guyanese dollar (G$) = 100 cents
Main exports: Bauxite and alumina, sugar, gold, rice, shrimp, molasses, rum, timber. GNI per capita: US$2,900 (World Bank, 2011) .Internet domain: .gy International dialling code: +592
Country Introduction
The evaluation of risks to human and animal health and the environment, whether direct or indirect, immediate or delayed, which the [placing on the market] of genetically modified organisms may pose and such evaluation is carried out in accordance with [the second schedule to these regulations and the fifth schedule to the act;] the use of scientific and other appropriate methods to identify and characterise the nature, likelihood of occurrence, and potential magnitude of any hazards, with due regard to the precautionary principle as articulated in [section 5] ( from the Regulations made under Biosafety No.1 of 2014) which states.
- A person shall not place on the market a genetically modified organism without the written approval of the authority.
- An application to place on the market a GMO shall be made to the authority in the form as may be prescribed by the authority and shall be accompanied by- (a) the prescribed fee and where necessary, an additional risk assessment report.
- An applicant may refer to data or results from an application previously submitted by other applicants or submit additional information that the applicant considers relevant; provided that the information, data and results are non-confidential, or such applicants have given their agreement in writing.
- Lastly a person who contravenes sub-regulation one (1) commits an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to [penalty to be prescribed].
The objective of this regulation is to ensure that potential impacts of genetically modified organisms are addressed to protect human health, animal health and the environment when conducting placing on the market.
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 is in the process in developing a structure for GM food safety assessment.
Supplemental information:
Contact details of the competent authority(s) responsible for the safety assessment and the product applicant:
(1.) NAREI- Mon Repos East Coast Demerara, Greater Georgetown- Tel 2208836 (Pesticide Lab); (2.)GLDA- Mon Repos East Coast Demerara, Greater Georgetown- Tel 2206557/2206556; (3.)GSA - Mon Repos East Coast Demerara, Greater Georgetown- Tel 2202297; (4.) EPA- Ganges Street, Sophia, Greater Georgetown Tel- 2255467-69; (5.)GAF&DD- IAST building UG Campus, Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara. Tel 2228857; (6.) UG Faculty of natural Sciences Tel. 2224926, Faculty of Agriculture & Forestry Tel. 2225424
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:
Stacked events
Regulation of stacked events:
There is no regulations in my country on stacked events.
Supplemental information on the stacked events:
No current event only consultancies occurring in October- December of 2014.
Production and trade
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 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 does not have any labeling regulations/policies 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:
14/02/2019
