At the plenary session of Parliament, Chair of the Economic Policy Committee, Shota Berekashvili, presented in the I reading the draft law on Living Genetically Modified Organisms.

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

Under conditions of 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. Under the proposed amendments, a license may be issued only for those living genetically modified organisms that are authorized for use 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.

The activity 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.

Parliament adopted the draft law, which is being considered under an expedited procedure, in the first reading with 74 votes in favor.