Genetics in agriculture, forestry and food science

Gene technology is used to improve and develop our food as well as agriculture and forestry. However, genetically modified organisms and products awaken apprehension regarding their affect on people's health and the environment. There are therefore laws that regulate the use and exposure of these organisms. In the European Union there was a five-year moratorium on the approval of new genetically modified crops, which ended in May 2004 when type Bt-11 corn was finally approved. Still, it is so difficult getting approval of GM products in Europe that other countries have complained to the WTO about a "de facto moratorium". Also, there are national bans in particular European countries on some GM products. The latest development is that The European Food Safety Authority has published a report that is expected to provide a basis, together with public surveys, for the future decisions of the European Commission: Food Safety, Animal Health and Welfare and Environmental Impact of Animals derived from Cloning by Somatic Cell Nucleus Transfer (SCNT) and their Offspring and Products Obtained from those Animals. Ethical aspects was addressed by the European Group on Ethics.

Basic regulations

The fundamental regulation concerning genetically modified organisms can be found in Chapters 13 and 14 of miljöbalken (the Swedish environmental code), ordinance 2000:271 on the contained use of genetically modified organisms, ordinance 2002:1086 on the exposure of genetically modified organisms in the environment, and the ordinance 2007:273 on caution when cultivating and moving GMOs etc. See also Directive 2009/41/EC on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms and Directive 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms. EU has decided to approve the the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

Most important is the Convention on biological diversity, which was followed by the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The Cartagena Protocol was created in 2000 to protect biodiversity from any potential harm posed by genetically modified (GM) organisms. The 50 participants signed the protocol in June 2003 and it went into effect 11 September. This protocol was signed by both Sweden and the EU but not by the USA. Drawing from the Cartagena Protocol, the European Parliament and council have also created through discussion Regulation No 1946/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council on transboundary movements of genetically modified organisms, which aims to secure safeguards with respect to risk-free transportation, manipulation and use of genetically modified organisms. Under the Convention there are also Bonn Guidelines on Access to Genetic Resources and Fair and Equitable Sharing of the Benefits Arising out of their Utilization. The first comprehensive best practice standard and handbook that provides guidance and tools on the use of genetic resources under the Boon Guidelines is the ABS-Management Tool. It provides users and providers of genetic resources with a structured process for participating in — and making decisions about — negotiations and the implementation of agreements for access to and agreed use of genetic resources.

2015 the EU adopted a directive enabling member countries to restrict any GMO cultivation inside their borders, see directive 2015:412.

Areas of responsibility

A number of organisations have issued ordinances applying to their respective areas. Statens jordbruksverk (the Swedish Board of Agriculture) has ordinances on the contained use of genetically modified plants (SJVFS 2007:29) and the deliberate planting exposure of genetically modified plants (SJVFS 2003:5), as well as on the precaution when growing such plants (SJVFS 2008:34).

The Swedish National Board of Forestry has put together regulations on the deliberate planting and market release of genetically modified forest trees (SKFSF 2008:4; SKSFS 2008:5). For food science researchers working with developing genetically altered foodstuffs, the following apply: Regulation No. 258/97 of the European Parliament and the Council of 27 January 1997 concerning novel foods and novel food ingredients, as well as Regulation No. 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and the Council on genetically modified food and feed. The Swedish National Food Administration has issued Vägledning om genetiskt modifierade livsmedel (Guidance on genetically modified food). Additionally, there are the The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management's regulations on genetically modified aquatic organisms (FIFS 2004:2).

Various statements

A large number of declarations and recommendations of various types have been issued. Following are a few examples: The Nordic Committee of Ministers has published the statement Tillträde och rättigheter till genetiska resurser (The rights to genetic resources). From the OECD we have Environmental Policies and Instruments. The European Science Foundation speaks out in its policy briefing no. 12 on genetically modified plants. From FAO we have the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

Greenpeace has a document titled Considerations Regarding the Co-existence of GMO, non-GMO and Organic Farming. It is also important to mention the Leipzig Declaration, accepted in 1996 by the International Technical Conference on Plant Genetic Resources, which discusses the preservation and sustainable use of genetic plant resources for food and agriculture.

Last updated: 2018-12-18