Voluntary Report - public distribution

**Date:** 7/24/2006

**GAIN Report Number:** RS6039

RS6039

**Russian Federation**

**Biotechnology**

**New Resolution Transfers GMO Feed Registration Duties to VPSS**

**2006**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)Allan Mustard

U.S.Embassy

**Prepared by:**

Y.Vassilieva, K.Svec, E.Hansen, T.Wiltgen

**Report Highlights:**

The Russian government issued Resolution 422 on July 14, 2006. It amends
Resolution 26 of January 2002 entitled \"On State Registration of Feeds
Produced from Genetically Modified Organisms\" and passes GMO feed
testing and registration duties to the Federal Service for Veterinary
and Phytosanitary Surveillance (VPSS).

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Unscheduled Report

Moscow

\[RS\]

# Summary {#summary-1}

Russian Federation Government (GOR) Resolution 422 of July 14, 2006
amends the January 2002 Resolution (26) entitled \"On State Registration
of Feeds Produced from Genetically Modified Organisms\" and transfers
testing and registration of GMO feeds from the Ministry of Agriculture
to the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance
(VPSS).

# Overview of Changes

Following a reorganization of the Ministry of Agriculture in 2004 (GAIN
Report RS6038 *Annual Agricultural Biotechnology Report*), all testing
and registration of GMO feeds was discontinued because the main
regulation document (GOR Resolution 26) was not amended. While
resolution 422 assigns testing and registration duties to VPSS, other
amendments are also important. Subparagraph "c" in point 4 is excluded,
implying that a "copy of the certificate (certifying the safety of
modified organisms used in feed production in case they preserve the
ability to reproduce)" is no longer required for the registration of GMO
feeds. The Ministry of Industry, Science and Technology, which no longer
exists, issued these safety certificates. An amendment to sub-point "d"
of point 5 ("determine state registration of a feed produced from
modified organisms") omits the words "and enter the appropriate data
into the State Register". This may imply that a registration certificate
can be issued more quickly and that it may not be necessary to wait
until the registration number is entered into State Register before
production can begin. The new resolution releases VPSS from its
obligation of sharing the establishment of the Expert Council for
Biological Safety with the Inter-Agency Commission on Genetic
Engineering, as outlined in Resolution 26. The name of the Expert
Council is changed from the "Expert Council for Safety Matters" to the
"Expert Council for Biological Safety Matters". This implies that all
issues regarding the biological safety of plants fall under the Expert
Council, which is created by the head of VPSS. The role of the Ministry
of Agriculture will be limited to keeping the State Register of GMO
feeds.

The issuance of Resolution 422 has finally re-opened GMO feed
registration procedures, although actual registration will begin after
the Expert Council is formed and its duties are determined, which could
take a long time. In addition, examinations and testing of submitted
feeds may take longer and may be more expensive than before. In a recent
letter (number 181 of June 22, 2006), the Ministry of Agriculture
prescribed the use of the expensive "biological microchip" GMO plant
identification method (GAIN Report RS6038).

# Russian Federation Government Resolution 422 (Unofficial translation)

Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation

"On Amendments to Resolution Number 26 of the Russian Federation
Government dated January 18, 2002"

Number 422, July 14, 2006

The Government of the Russian Federation decrees:

To approve the attached changes made to Resolution 26 of the Russian
Federation Government dated January 18, 2002 entitled \"On State
Registration of Feeds Produced from Genetically Modified Organisms\"
(Code of Laws of the Russian Federation, 2002, 4, Art. 323).

Prime Minister\
of the Russian Federation M. Fradkov

APPROVED\
by Resolution of the Government\
of the Russian Federation\
dated July 14, 2006 Number 422

1.  Point 3 shall be rendered invalid.

2.  In the provision regarding state registration of feeds produced from
    genetically modified organisms approved by the present resolution:

    a.  Point 3 shall have the following wording: "The Federal
        Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Service shall handle
        state registration of feeds produced from genetically modified
        organisms and issue state registration certificates."

    b.  In point 4:

        i.  in the first paragraph, the words \"Ministry of Agriculture
            of the Russian Federation\" shall be replaced with the words
            \"Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary
            Surveillance\"

        ii. subparagraph \"c\" shall be rendered invalid

    c.  Points 5 and 6 shall have the following wording:

> \"5. The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance
> shall:

a.  receive, register, and review applications for state registration of
    feeds produced from modified organisms

b.  verify the information submitted by the applicant

c.  study the information provided in regard to the safety of feeds
    produced from modified organisms and subject to state registration
    criteria

d.  Decide whether or not to award state registration for feeds produced
    from modified organisms and issue the applicant a registration
    certificate for such feed that will entitle it to be imported into
    and produced in the Russian Federation

6\. In an effort to ensure objectivity and proper quality information
control regarding the safety of GMO feeds submitted by the applicant,
VPSS shall establish the permanent Expert Council for Biological Safety
Matters (Expert Council), with its members to be approved by the head of
VPSS.\"

d.  In point 7, the words \"Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian
    Federation\" shall be replaced with the words \" Federal Service for
    Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance\"

e.  In point 8:

    i.  in the first paragraph, the words \"Ministry of Agriculture of
        the Russian Federation\" shall be replaced with the words \"
        Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance"
        and the words \"accredited by the Ministry\" shall be removed

    ii. in the third paragraph, the words \"Ministry of Agriculture of
        the Russian Federation\" shall be replaced with the words \"
        Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance\"

f.  In point 9:

    i.  in the first paragraph, the words \"Ministry of Agriculture of
        the Russian Federation\" shall be replaced with the words \"
        Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance \"

    ii. subparagraph \"а\" shall have the following wording: "Within 7
        days of receipt, VPSS shall issue the applicant a certificate of
        state registration for feeds produced from modified organisms
        signed by the head of VPSS and attested with a stamp. VPSS shall
        assign the applicant a registration number. Information
        regarding the GMO feed shall be forwarded to the Ministry of
        Agriculture of the Russian Federation to be entered in the
        register."

g.  in points 12 -- 15, the words \"Ministry of Agriculture of the
    Russian Federation\" shall be replaced with the words \" Federal
    Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance" in the proper
    case

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

> Moscow\
> July 18, 2006\
> N 1264