Vietnam: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall establish Council for testing and assessing risk of genetically modified organisms

According to Clause 7 Article 1 of Decree No. 118/2020/NĐ-CP of Vietnam’s Government supplementing Article 17a and Article 17b after Article 17 Decree No. 69/2010/NĐ-CP, organization and operation of Council for testing and assessing risk of genetically modified organisms are as follows:

- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall decide to form Council for testing and assessing risk of genetically modified organisms composing of at least 9 members: the Chairperson shall be representative of professional regulatory authority affiliated to Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Vice Chairperson shall be representative of standing assessment agency and members shall be representatives of Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Health and experts.  In which, 2 members shall be chosen to be Review panel. The Council shall dissolve as soon as completing assigned tasks. Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall assign an affiliated entity to be a standing assessment agency.

- The Council for testing and assessing risk of genetically modified organisms is responsible for:

+ appraising application for accrediting genetically modified organism testing bodies and consulting Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to consider and accredit genetically modified organism testing bodies;

+ appraising application for testing and assessing test results and consulting the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to consider issuing testing permits and accrediting test results.

- The Council operates on the basis of democracy and transparency; is personally responsible for scientificity and accuracy for feedback and assessment and collectively responsible for general conclusion of the Council. 

- Council meetings must have at least 2/3 of the members and be hosted by the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson (in case of absence of the Chairperson). Standing assessment agency shall hold Council meetings for each application and record the meeting in writing. In the first meeting, host of the meeting shall assign 1 Council secretary and 2 Review panel members. If necessary, the Council may request addition of 2 to 3 scientists experienced in relevant fields to independently review the applications.

- If necessary, the Council may request the standing assessment agency to invite representatives of the applicants to participate in the meetings to provide additional information and answer questions of the Council members of public opinions.

- On the basis of meeting minutes, Council secretary shall complete application and Council conclusion assessment reports to report to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

View details at Decree No. 118/2020/NĐ-CP of Vietnam’s Government, effective from October 02, 2020.

Le Vy

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