Today, August 4, at its meeting the Government approved a European integration bill, which provides for strengthening of state control over the use of GMOs (Genetically modified organisms) and the circulation of GM products.

Another bill approved is designed to intensify liability for violations in the field of GMO handling and the creation of more effective mechanisms to prevent such offenses.

"Support for these bills and their further implementation will contribute to the creation of transparent rules for doing business on GMO handling and strengthen state control in this area. In particular, it is envisaged to determine clear procedures and mechanisms for the handling of GMOs, requirements for labeling of GM products that will not allow manufacturers to mislead consumers. It is also proposed to increase the responsibility and up the size of fines to prevent offenses in this area," said Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine Iryna Novikova.

Among the novelties of the bill on state regulation in the field of GMO are as follows:

• delimiting the powers of public authorities in order to eliminate duplication of functions in the field of GMO handling;
• improving the system for assessing the risks of GMO in terms of possible effects on human health and the environment;
• introducing European mechanisms of state registration of GMOs;
• improving the requirements for labeling of GM products and introducing rules on its traceability;
• strengthening state control in the field of GMO handling, as well as introducing liability for violations of legislation in this area.

According to the bill on strengthening the responsibility in the field of GMO regulation it is provided:

• increasing the size of the sanction in the shape of a fine depending on the type of violation to the level:

- for citizens - from UAH 3,400 to UAH 5,100 (currently - from UAH 85 to 136);

- for officials - from UAH 3,400 to 17,000 (currently - from UAH 119 to 170);

• creation of more effective mechanisms for the prevention of offenses in the field of GMO handling.