Philippines |
PHILIPPINES IMPOSES RISK TEST ON GM IMPORTS |
6-May-2002 Agence France-Presse |
| MMANILA, May 6
(AFP) - All genetically modified organism (GMO) imports in the
Philippines would have undergo safety tests and risk assessment,
the agriculture department said Monday. Under President Gloria
Arroyo's administrative order, all GMOs will undergo safety
tests by the Department of Agriculture's regulatory agencies
which will identify risks and potential harm towards humans
and the environment, it said in a statement.
The risk assessment would be carried out in a "scientific and transparent manner" by an independent scientific technical review panel, it added. "No person shall be allowed to import or release into the environment any regulated article without a 'satisfactory risk' assessment conducted in accordance with these rules and regulations," Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Montemayor said. The issue of the safety of genetically modified crops has provoked fierce debate in Europe and Asia. The department said it would also consult other countries and international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Codex Alimentarius Commission, or Codex, World Health Organization (WHO) and the organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). |
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