E-mail:
Country:
Latvia
Organization/agency name (Full name):
Ministry of Agriculture
Contact person name:
Inese Aleksejeva
Website:
Physical full address:
Republikas laukums - 2, Riga. LV-1981
Phone number:
00 37167027069
Fax number:
00 371 67027205
Country introduction
Summary:
Latvia is a Member State of the European Union, and the regulation of GM foods takes place at EU level. Safety assessments are carried out by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and authorisations are issued on an EU-wide basis. Assessments include a detailed study of potential for toxic, nutritional and allergenic effects.
Framework
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:
Latvia applies the respective EU requirements.
Contact details of the competent authority(s) responsible for the safety assessment and the product applicant:
Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment - "BIOR" is a newly formed public research institution with a derived public person`s legal status.
There are the following areas of responsibility of the Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment - "BIOR":
- to carry out scientific activities in food, veterinary, environmental and fisheries sectors and in other sectors of biology by developing applied and basic researches to promote progress and integrity of science, higher education and corresponding industries;
- to provide an expertise, scientific substantiation and risk assessment for sectoral development policy;
- to implement execution of national data collection programs for fisheries sector, scientific activities and state monitoring needs in the field of food quality and safety, fisheries and animal diseases and zoonoses according to the Institute’s competence;
- to implement projects to assess the risk in the field of food safety and animal infectious diseases, ensuring cooperation with institutions and organizations from the mentioned areas;
- to carry out fishery inspections and provide scientific substantiation for environment-friendly, rational and sustainable management of fish resources in the inland and coastal waters of Latvian jurisdiction, territorial waters and waters of the economic zone of the Baltic Sea;
- to perform functions of the National Reference Laboratory in the areas defined in the legislation;
- to carry out laboratorial and diagnostic investigations related to state monitoring and food movement control, animal health protection and animal feed and veterinary drugs movement;
- to implement a state policy on reproductive capacity of fish stocks through the implementation of activities of the Fish Resources reproductive state program;
- to represent interests of Latvia and to implement an international scientific cooperation by organizing scientific conferences, seminars and other science-related information activities and by participation there;
- to provide public advices within the competence of the Institute.
Assessment
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 does not regularly conduct food safety assessment of GM food, but has conducted at least once in the past.
Supplemental information on the implementation:
Latvia applies the respective EU requirements.
EFSA is the responsible authority for risk assessment of GMO in the EU.
Stacked events
Regulation of stacked events:
In my country, GM food/feed that contains stacked event(s) is considered as a new product even if all single events that are stacked have already approved.
Supplemental information on the stacked events:
Latvia applies the respective EU requirements.
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:
Latvia applies the respective EU requirements.
LLP/AP incidents
LLP/AP incidents:
My country has not faced any LLP/AP situations in the last 10 years.
Supplemental information on the LLP/AP incidents:
Latvia applies the respective EU requirements.
Labelling requirement
Labelling requirement:
My country has a mandatory and positive labeling regulation on GM food (i.e., It contains GMO).
Supplemental information on the Labelling requirement:
Latvia applies the respective EU requirements on GMO labelling.
Relevant links to documents and information prepared by the competent authority responsible for the safety assessment
Other relevant documents:
Country information last modified:
12/07/2016
