July 16, 2008
 

Russia announces regulations for GM feed

New definitions for GM feed have been released by Russia's veterinary authority, said USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (VPSS) now defines feed as GMO-free if non-registered biotech substances do not surpass 0.5 percent in feed components. For registered biotech substances, the threshold is capped at 0.9 percent.

The 0.5 percent cap on non-registered biotech components is based on EU's guidelines, while the 0.9 percent level is derived from Russian legislation on food products.

VPSS hopes that the new classifications will result in feed importers registering more feed as GM. The definitions will also clear up misinterpretations at customs.

VPSS said that currently, there is no legal categorization of GM levels in feed despite the fact that most feeds on global markets contain GM components.

Although the Russian Technical Regulation, which stipulates regulations on GM feed, has been drafted, it has not been adopted, leading VPSS base its definitions on international norms.