GMO testing laboratory to open in Azerbaijan soon
By Nigar Orujova
A laboratory testing genetically modified products will be operating in Azerbaijan soon.
All the necessary preparations have been made and the laboratory will be commissioned in the near future, Chairman of the State Committee on Standardization, Metrology and Patents, Ramiz Hasanov, said on May 29.
"The laboratory building has already been constructed, the necessary equipment installed and courses for the laboratory employees held," Hasanov said.
Hasanov said that the lab is mainly earmarked for imported goods. "I don't think that local products may contain GMOs," he added.
GMOs, the result of a genetic engineering process that involves the extraction or artificially forcing of genes from the DNA of one species into the genes of an unrelated plant or animal, were created to be used in countries facing the possibility of famine and poor land conditions. However, Azerbaijan is not among such countries and senses no need for GMO products.
Although Azerbaijan has joined a number of international environmental conventions, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (1992) and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (2000), GMOs are said to be widely spread in the country.
Earlier, head of the Azerbaijani Free Consumers Union Eyyub Huseynov said that around 95 percent of tomatoes, 95 percent of watermelons and 40 percent of potatoes are genetically modified in Azerbaijan. About 98 percent of the soya beans, which are widely used in food and cosmetic industries, are believed to contain GMOs as well.
Azerbaijan's Cabinet of Ministers approved the rules for determining possible risks posed by genetically modified plants last December. The rules envision establishment of an advisory board which will determine the areas of research relating to genetically modified organisms found in Azerbaijan.
Moreover, an article covering the violation of the legislation on conservation and efficient use of the genetic resources of cultivated plants was added to the Code of Administrative Offences in December.
According to the amendments, individuals violating the legislation will be fined 200-300 manats ($255-382), while officials - 500-600 manats ($637-$765), and legal entities 1,500-2,000 manats ($1,913-$2,551).
Except in case of scientific studies, tests and exhibitions, it is proposed to impose fines over the import and state registration of genetically modified crops in the amount of 3,000 manats ($3,826) for individuals, 10,000 manats ($12,755) for officials and 50,000 manats ($63,775) for legal entities.