Required Report - public distribution

**Date:** 7/14/2005

**GAIN Report Number:** PL5014

PL5014

**Poland**

**Biotechnology**

**Annual**

**2005**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)Charles Rush

U.S. Embassy

**Prepared by:**

Natalia Koniuszewska, Elizabeth Minor

**Report Highlights:**

Although the EC accepted MON 810 corn for planting, in a move designed
to protect Poland\'s reputation as a \"natural\" agricultural producer,
the Government of Poland introduced a two-year moratorium on planting
Genetically Modified (GM) products in Poland. Poland\'s restrictions on
all non-pharmaceutical GM products are a major non-tariff trade barrier.
Legislation specifying the requirements for coexistence of GM
cultivations with conventional and organic crops was rejected by
Parliament in 2004.

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Annual Report

Warsaw \[PL1\]

\[PL\]

Table of Contents

[I Executive Summary 3](#i-executive-summary)

[II Biotechnology Trade and Production
3](#ii-biotechnology-trade-and-production)

[III Biotechnology Policy 3](#iii-biotechnology-policy)

[Descriptive Information on the Regulatory Framework
3](#descriptive-information-on-the-regulatory-framework)

[List of Approved Biotech Crops and Field Testing of Biotech Crops
3](#list-of-approved-biotech-crops-and-field-testing-of-biotech-crops)

[Coexistence 3](#coexistence)

[Labeling 4](#labeling)

[Biosafety Protocol 4](#biosafety-protocol)

[Biotechnology Trade Barriers 4](#biotechnology-trade-barriers)

[Pending Legislation 5](#pending-legislation)

[Overview of Biotechnology Issues Regarding The European Union
5](#overview-of-biotechnology-issues-regarding-the-european-union)

[IV Marketing Issues 5](#iv-marketing-issues)

[Market Acceptance of Biotech Food
5](#market-acceptance-of-biotech-food)

[Media 5](#media)

[Consumers 5](#consumers)

[Scientific Community 6](#scientific-community)

[Farm Organizations 6](#farm-organizations)

[Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
6](#non-governmental-organizations-ngos)

[V Capacity Building and Outreach 7](#v-capacity-building-and-outreach)

[U.S. Government Funded Outreach Activities
7](#u.s.-government-funded-outreach-activities)

[Country Needs 7](#country-needs)

[VI Reference Material 7](#vi-reference-material)

# I Executive Summary

Poland's restrictions on all non-pharmaceutical Genetically Modified
(GM) products are a major non-tariff trade barrier. Currently, Poland
follows most European Union regulations regarding GM products.
Legislation specifying the requirements for coexistence of GM
cultivations with conventional and organic crops was rejected by
Parliament in 2004. As Parliamentary elections will be held in September
2005 there is little chance that new legislation will be passed in the
near future.

# II Biotechnology Trade and Production

Poland currently does not produce or import any GM crops nor are any
under development; however, there are valid import permits for protein
concentrates based on GM soybeans for feed production. Additionally, in
March 2005, the Polish Government implemented a two-year moratorium on
the trade and planting of MON 810 maize.

# 

# III Biotechnology Policy

## Descriptive Information on the Regulatory Framework 

There are many Ministries and departments responsible for the import and
handling of food products in Poland. The Polish Sanitary Inspectorate is
responsible for ensuring that food products are safe for human
consumption. This Inspectorate analyzes foodstuffs before it enters
commercial channels. Through November 2004, 100 companies, including
wholesalers and processors, were inspected for potential GM content. The
Veterinary Inspectorate is in charge of testing animal feed for GMOs. In
2005, Veterinary Inspectorate plans to inspect 160 samples of animal
feed. The Inspector of Commercial Quality of Food and Agricultural
Products is responsible for border control of imported food products and
the Plant Protection Inspector for imported seeds and plant protection
agents.

Currently, Poland follows the European Union's regulations on
traceability and labeling (Regulation (EC) No 1830/2003). These
regulations will be in place until the Polish Government implements its
own version of these directives. The complete EU regulation can be found
at:

<http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2003/l_268/l_26820031018en00240028.pdf>

Poland also follows the Cartagena Protocols regarding biosafety and
biodiversity. More information on these protocols can be found on page
six of this report; for the complete text of the Protocols see
<http://www.biodiv.org/biosafety/protocol.asp>

## List of Approved Biotech Crops and Field Testing of Biotech Crops 

There are currently no GM crops approved for planting in Poland;
however, a few permits for field and laboratory research have been
issued. Valid permits are still held for lettuce, potatoes, plums, flax,
cucumbers, and rape.

## Coexistence

In July 2003, the European Commission (EC) published guidelines
outlining strategies and best practices for allowing genetically
modified crops to grow alongside conventional and organic crops. These
guidelines suggest that a general EU-wide approach is not workable and
allows individual countries to set their own policy. Polish authorities
have stated on several occasions that they are unable to establish and
maintain regulatory control of coexistence due to budget constraints.

Legislation specifying the requirements that must be met for coexistence
of GM cultivations with conventional and organic crops prepared by the
Ministry of Agriculture was rejected by Parliament in 2004. As
Parliamentary elections will be held in September 2005 there is little
chance that new legislation will be passed in the near future.

Generally, farm groups fear that coexistence will jeopardize profitable
sales to Western Europe. The EC policy states that farmers who introduce
EU-authorized GM crops will bear the responsibility for ensuring that
there is no contamination of conventional crops. Even though Monsanto's
810-corn variety has been approved for planting in the EU, none can be
planted in Poland until there are regulations in place governing
coexistence.

According to a March 2004 report on coexistence of GM and conventional
crops prepared by the Antama Foundation, Spanish researchers found that
coexistence of GM crops is possible if certain conditions are applied.
The findings are based on the results of field trials completed in 2003,
which analyzed the presence of the Bt gene according to wind direction
at levels of 0.2 percent to 0.9 percent.

## Labeling

According to EU regulations all products whether genetically modified or
containing GM ingredients must be labeled; however, the adventitious
presence of up to 0.9 percent of GM ingredients is acceptable without a
label. The words "This product contains genetically modified organisms"
or "This product contains genetically modified \[name of organism(s)\]"
must appear on the label of prepackaged foods or on the display of
non-prepackaged foods.

The Inspectorate for Commercial Quality of Food and Agricultural
Products is responsible for ensuring that bulk products are labeled in
accordance with government requirements.

In addition, the amended GMO Act, which is currently being reviewed by
the Polish government, will delegate specific agency and/or Ministry
responsibility for traceability and labeling inspection. There are
currently no regulations delegating these responsibilities.

## Biosafety Protocol

Poland is a signatory of the Cartagena Protocols on biosafety and
biodiversity. The Protocols set out the basics for the import, export,
and handling of living Genetically Modified Organisms that may have
adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological
diversity and human, animal, and environmental health. The Ministry of
the Environment, in coordination with the Ministry of Health and the
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, is the lead agency in
charge of the implementation and regulation of the Protocols.

For exporters the protocols dictate that the Polish government must be
notified, in writing, before shipping any non-pharmaceutical GM
products. Additionally, exporters of live GMOs are required to conduct a
risk assessment of their product and have a risk management plan in
place.

For the complete text of the Cartagena Protocol see
<http://www.biodiv.org/biosafety/protocol.asp>

## Biotechnology Trade Barriers

There are now 10 GMO-free regions in Poland covering more than
two-thirds of Poland\'s territory and population; however, local
authorities are not empowered to make laws excluding GMOs from their
regions. These proclamations do not have any legal repercussions and
yet, they are important to note from a social and economic perspective.
However, more important is Poland\'s notification to the EC that it
would implement a two-year moratorium on planting GMO varieties in
Poland.

## Pending Legislation

In March 2005 Poland announced that it plans to ban the import and
planting of 17 varieties of genetically modified MON 810 maize seed made
by U.S. biotech firm Monsanto for two years. While MON 810 is approved
for cultivation across the EU-25, individual countries have discretion
on whether to allow it and other GM crops on their national territory.
However, it is important to note that a similar request by the Austrian
Parliament was rejected by the EC due to a lack of evidence proving a
negative influence of GM plants on the environment.

## Overview of Biotechnology Issues Regarding The European Union

Polish regulations are inline with the EU; however, they can be even
more restrictive in the approval process of GM crop varieties.

# IV Marketing Issues

## Market Acceptance of Biotech Food 

Currently there is no marketing or promotion of Genetically Modified
food in Poland.

## 

## Media

Biotechnology is not an issue that excites most Poles. From time to time
an article about GM food or experiments is published. Also, important
events in biotechnology are noted by the media but neither in length nor
on the front page.

The media is a critical source of information on biotechnology. Over 85
percent of Poles get their information on GMOs from television, 26
percent from newspapers, 24 percent from the radio, and 14 percent from
popular science magazines. Of those who get their information from
popular science magazines 41 percent have the sense of being well
informed, whereas those who obtain information from Television feel
insufficiently informed.

## Consumers

Based on a February 2003 opinion poll of 1,007 Polish adults conducted
by the Public Opinion Research Center for the Plant Breeding and
Acclimatization Institute, around one-third had not heard of
biotechnology and only 17 percent were interested in the issue. Almost
half (49 percent) of Poles had heard about biotechnology but did not pay
much attention to it. Only 19 percent of the population felt
sufficiently informed on the issue of biotechnology. People having basic
vocational education (82 percent), inhabitants of rural areas (81
percent), people over-thirty (80 percent), farmers (90 percent), and
respondents who are not interested in politics (81 percent) admit that
they are insufficiently informed on the issues.

Of those who knew or have heard about biotechnology, most accept the use
of biotechnology for environmental protection purposes (almost 80
percent) and for pharmaceutical and medical research (75 percent). Also,
30 percent of society supports the use of biotechnology in food
production, 34 percent would rather ban it, and 36 percent are
uncertain. Poles think regardless of the purpose of biotechnology
developments, it must be regulated and controlled by the government.
Compared to studies conducted in 2000, Polish support for biotech
research is declining and the feeling that human health and the
environment are endangered by biotechnology is growing.

Most of the population believes that traditional methods of breeding
should be continued instead of changing genetic traits of plants and
animals. Also, 66 percent of those polled believe that biotech
regulations will not be observed and that regulations are not sufficient
to protect people against modern biotechnology risks.

## Scientific Community

Research in Poland is undergoing a difficult period. Government funding
is very limited while private funds are often unavailable. Hoping for
future improvement, a group of biotechnology scientists created the
Polish Biotechnology Federation, which has gathered together the eminent
scholars and scientists involved in biotechnology in Poland. The
federation's aim is the development of Polish biotechnology, as well as
promoting it among the population.

The Second National Congress on Biotechnology in June 2002 in Lodz,
Poland involved 500 participants. There was great interest in
biotechnology but primarily for medical purposes. Currently, 21
university degree programs in biotechnology exist throughout the country
and approximately 5,000 students are enrolled in them. However, because
of the declining business prospects in agricultural biotechnology these
graduates have limited in-country opportunities.

## Farm Organizations

Farm organizations are mostly opposed to GM crops. Many of these
organizations represent small-scale farmers, which, due to prohibitively
high costs, could not adopt GM crops and thus fear the competition posed
by larger farmers who could benefit from the technology. Additionally,
all farmers are concerned that GM crop production will threaten their
sales prospects within the EU, stimulate over production and reduce
prices, and threaten domestic sales where there is a strong traditional
consumer belief that Polish food products are "natural." However, there
are farmers who say they would breed modified corn if they could find
buyers. They realize the potential for lower costs and higher profits.
Unfortunately, they are not very active in promoting or supporting
modified seed producers because of sales risk concerns.

## Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

There are a limited numbers of NGOs in Poland. NGO expansion and their
role in the GMO debate should increase in the next few years as they
become eligible for EU NGO funding.

The Genetically Modified Food Information Office was established in 1999
to promote biotech food. They organize many events for journalists,
students, and the public. They are a good source of information about
biotechnology in Poland and abroad. Unfortunately, their funding sources
are diminishing and they may be forced to close.

Another organization, the Foundation for Polish Agriculture Development
(FDPA), organized a series of successful lectures on biotechnology in
different towns across Poland. Poland's Institute for Sustainable
Development expresses more concern about biotechnology because of their
fears of it limiting biodiversity.

The Consumer Federation and the Food Processors Federation try to inform
consumers as objectively as possible about biotechnology. Both
organizations advocate clear, yet not prohibitive, protective consumer
regulations.

# V Capacity Building and Outreach

## U.S. Government Funded Outreach Activities 

FAS Warsaw has done much to promote GM products and to educate Poles
about them. Within the last eight years, six journalists have visited
the U.S. as participants in the International Visitors program on
biotechnology. Representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and
Rural Development, the Ministry of the Environment, and the Ministry of
Health have also participated in agricultural biotechnology seminars
sponsored by the Cochran Fellowship Program. Additionally, FAS Warsaw
has sponsored, or has otherwise been involved with, numerous workshops
and seminars on biotechnology for decision makers, university students,
and journalists.

## Country Needs

Poland needs to be better educated on biotechnology. The majority of the
population is ill informed on the topic of biotechnology and as long as
this continues, biotechnology will continue to be more of a political
than a scientific issue.

# VI Reference Material 

Ministry of Environment,

Department of Nature Protection,

Deputy Director Anna Liro,

ph. (4822) 579 2282, fax (4822) 579 2555

[www.mos.gov.pl](http://www.mos.gov.pl/)

Ministry of Environment,

Department of Nature Protection,

GMO specialist Agnieszka Dalbiak,

ph. (4822) 579 2723, fax (4822) 579 2555

[www.mos.gov.pl](http://www.mos.gov.pl/)

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development,

Department of Plant Breeding and Protection

Deputy Director Wiestaw Podyma

ph. (48-22) 623 2554; fax (4822) 628 8784

[www.minrol.gov.pl](http://www.minrol.gov.pl/)

Plant Quarantine and Seed Inspection (Ministry of Agriculture),

General Inspector Adam Zych,

ph. (4822) 623 23 02, 623 23 04; fax (4822) 6232304

[www.piorin.gov.pl](http://www.piorin.gov.pl/)

Main Sanitary Inspection (Ministry of Health),

General Inspector Andrzej Trybusz,

ph. (4822) 635 1559, fax (4822) 635 6194

General Veterinary Inspectorate (Ministry of Agriculture),

Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Jazdzewski,

ph. (48-22) 628 8511, fax (48-22) 623 1408

[www.wetgiw.gov.pl](http://www.wetgiw.gov.pl/)

Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute at Radzikow\
PL 05-870 Błonie\
phone: (+48 22) 725 36 11, fax: (+48 22) 725 47 14 or (+48 22) 731 96
17\
e-mail: <postbox@ihar.edu.pl>\
[[http://www.ihar.edu.pl]{.underline}](http://www.ihar.edu.pl/)

Opinion Poll Results

<http://www.ihar.edu.pl/gf2716/index_en.php>

The Ministry of Environment has regulatory oversight functions on
matters dealing with GMO. This Ministry also coordinates work on
biodiversity management. [www.mos.gov.pl](http://www.mos.gov.pl/)

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is responsible for
implementing regulations regarding food safety with the assistance of
the Ministry of Health. Both of these Ministries advise the Ministry of
Environment on GMO-related matters.
[http://www.minrol.gov.pl](http://www.minrol.gov.pl/)

The Horticulture Research and Development Center (COBORU) is responsible
for plant variety protection and pre-registration testing of breeding
varieties. [http://www.coboru.pl/aindex.htm]{.underline}

The European Biotechnology Federation and the Biotechnology Committee of
the Polish Academy of Science has sponsored a Genetically Modified Food
Information Office in Poland. <http://www.infogmo.edu.pl/>