Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
factors that could be introduced into the
food supply via the importation of new
products, the introduction of a new species
as a food source, the use of new processing
techniques or changes in the genetic
make-up of organisms.
In general terms, a novel feed is a feed
that either has not been approved previously
in Canada or that contains an intentional
genetic modii cation resulting in a relevant
phenotypic change as compared to a non-GM
counterpart. h e CFIA regulates the market-
ing of novel feeds in Canada through a
pre-market notii cation and has published
'Regulatory guidance: feed registration
procedures and labelling standards', which,
in Section 2.6, include guidelines for the
safety assessment of novel feeds (CFIA,
2012). h e scientii c requirements for such
notii cation are specii ed under the Feeds
Act, RSC 1985
(Department of Justice
Canada, 1985) and the Feeds Regulations,
1983 (Department of Justice Canada, 1983).
Based on the outcome of the safety
assessment, the CFIA prepares the
regulatory decision. Once a novel feed
receives authorization, it is either enlisted in
the Feeds Regulations or it is dei ned as
substantially equivalent to another, already
enlisted feed and is no longer considered as
'novel'.
Further information on novel foods
authorization in Canada can be found at
Resolution 412/2002 setting the 'Principles
and criteria for the assessment of food
derived from genetically modii ed organ-
isms' and the 'Requirements and rules of
proceedings for the human and animal
safety assessment of foods derived from
genetically modii ed organisms'
(SENASA,
2002).
Further information on novel foods
authorization in Argentina can be found at
In Brazil, the risk assessment of GMOs is
under the responsibility of the National
Biosafety Technical Commission. h e
National Biosafety Technical Commission is
composed of 27 members, including
scientists (with expertise in human health,
animal health, plant health and environ-
ment), ministerial representatives and other
experts. h is commission also develops
guidelines for the transport, importation
and i eld experiments necessary for the
approval of GM products in Brazil. Law
11.105, approved in 2005, constitutes the
regulatory framework establishing safety
rules and monitoring activities for GMOs
(CTNBIO, 2005). h e Council of Ministers is
responsible for the risk management of GM
products and evaluates the commercial and
economic consequences of the release of a
GM product into the market.
Further information on novel foods
authorization, and opportunities and
limitations for biotechnology innovation, in
Brazil can be found at
http://www.ctnbio.
gov.br/
and in de Castro (2013).
In Argentina, the risk assessment of GMOs
is performed by the Agrifood Quality
Directorate of the National Service for
Agrifood Health and Quality (SENASA), a
regulatory agency ai liated to the Ministry
of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. h e
risk assessment is performed by a scientii c
team with the advice of a Technical Advisory
Committee composed of experts from
dif erent scientii c disciplines, representing
dif erent sectors involved in the production,
industrialization, consumption, research
and development of GMOs. Guidelines for
GMO risk assessment are approved under
Only recently, in 2010, did the Common
Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
(COMESA) propose a draft policy on GM
technology, which was sent to 19 national
governments for consultation. Under the
proposed policy, any new GM crops would
i rst be scientii cally assessed by the
COMESA and, if deemed safe for the
environment and human health, would
receive authorization for cultivation in all 19
member countries, although i nal ratii cation
would be left to each individual country.
