GMO import to be subject to rigid control

A law to lay down the specifics of assessing the safety of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), including beans, and regulating GMO imports and exports is in the making. A bio-safety commission will be established to coordinate and supervise administrative affairs on the part of various government bureaus and agencies. Starting next March, the packaging of imported agricultural products will likely have to state if they are genetically modified.

The government said on September 9 that it will prepare a bill on the transfer of genetically modified organisms across international borders in order to ensure their safe production and distribution. Prior to that, the Seoul government is also expected to sign in September the international protocol on bio-safety adopted at a conference of participants in the international biodiversity agreement in January.

The protocol obligates all countries dealing in such organisms to display on their packaging whether agricultural goods have undergone genetic modification or not. Responsibilities for controlling the production and export-import of these commodities and regulating genetic engineering technology will be shared among the ministries of Agriculture and Forestry, Commerce, Industry and Energy, Health and Welfare, Marine Transport and Fisheries, Environment and Science and Technology. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will take charge of communication and negotiations with other governments.