” Norwegian GMO regulation”6th European Conference of GMO-Free Regions

September 2010

Kathrine Kleveland, coordinator of the Norwegian Network on GMO-free Food and FeedBell Batta Torheim, Development FundPresentation based on info from Norwegian Biotechnology Advisory Board

The purpose of the act (Section 1):

”The purpose of this Act is to ensure that production and use of genetically modified organisms takes place in an ethical and socially justifiable way, in accordance with the principle of sustainable development and without detrimental effects on health and the environment”.

Approval (Section 10):

… ”Deliberate release of GMOs may only be approved when there is no risk of detrimental effects on health or the environment. In deciding whether or not to grant the application, significant emphasis shall also be placed on whether the deliberate release represents a benefit to the community and a contribution to sustainable development”…

Gene Technology Act

Is a GMO socially justifiable?Is there a need or demand for the product?Can it solve, or contribute to solve a problem for the community

(Norway)?Is it better than corresponding products already on the market?Are there better alternatives than the product?Does it contribute to the creation of new employment

opportunities?Does it cause problems for existing production that otherwise

should have been preserved?

GMOs and sustainable development:

• Is biodiversity affected on a global scale?• Is the functional capacity of ecosystems affected?• Is the distribution of benefits between generations

affected?• Is the distribution of benefits or burdens between

rich and poor countries affected?

Lack of harmony with Food Law

The Gene Technology Act covers only living modified organism. Processed GMOs are regulated by the Food Act.

The criteria of sustainability, ethics and benefit to society not included in the Food Act.

Current process of harmonisation of the Food Act with EU legislation – will the principles of the Gene Technology Act be undermined?

Norway considers socio-economics and sustainable development in relation to GMOs:

Even if a GMO poses minimal harm to health and the environment, Norway may say no because of

• no benefit to society (primarily Norway is considered)

• no contribution to sustainable development