GMO regulations in the Russian Federation require specific test scopes
Analysis strategies to ensure the marketability of your products
Feb 2022. Russia's Federal Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (Rosselkhoznadzor) has repeatedly complained about undeclared components of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in animal feed in recent years. For this reason, the Russian authorities imposed an import ban on animal feed and feed additives from several countries into the Russian Federation last year. In this article you will learn which countries are currently affected by the restrictions and which GMO regulations need to be observed if you want to export your products to Russia.
Different GMO regulations worldwide
Food or feed consisting of, produced from or containing GMOs are subject to labelling in many regions. Furthermore, in many countries, a legally regulated 0% tolerance or low tolerance limits apply to unauthorised GMOs and their content in food and feed. Authorisations and labelling thresholds are regulated differently worldwide. A non-compliance with the relevant regulations should be strictly avoided in order to ensure a smooth export to the respective target markets.
Just as in the EU, compliance with GMO regulations is strictly controlled in Russia. Unlabelled or mislabelled goods as well as the exceedance of thresholds for unregistered GMOs are causing trade problems for feed producers and feed exporters who want to export their goods to Russia. In the European Union, this affected Germany, Belgium and Spain, among others. In other EU countries there are restrictions for individual companies[1],[2][3].
EU vs Russian Federation: The main GMO regulations at a glance
A thorough knowledge of the GMO regulations in the respective export area is an essential prerequisite. There are important differences between European and Russian GMO regulations. For example, in Russia there is a 0.5% tolerance threshold for non-registered GMOs in feed, while in the EU there is a strict 0% tolerance for unauthorised GMOs and a 0.1% tolerance in feed for unauthorised GMOs falling under the scope of the regulation (EU) No. 619/2011[4]. At the same time, however, significantly more GMOs are currently approved for import and processing into food and feed in the EU compared to Russia[5]. This asynchronous approval situation between the EU and Russia can already give rise to special challenges that must be taken into account and that require suitable measures.
Individual consulting on the GMO analysis of your products
The complexity of global commodity flows requires an experienced partner with detailed knowledge of the worldwide approval and cultivation situation of GMOs. We offer you scopes of analysis specifically tailored to the GMO regulations in important export markets (e.g. Russian Federation or Turkey) and support you with hands-on solutions.
Our expert Ulf Rathjens will be happy to personally answer your questions on analytical requirements resulting from the current GMO regulations of the Russian Federation. Together we develop suitable analysis strategies for your products.
Sources and relevant regulations
[1] Danish feed also subject to import ban (FEEDMagazine/Kraftfutter, 2 Nov 2021)
[2] New Russian import restrictions strike pet food market (PETFOODINDUSTRY.com, 3 June 2021)
[3] Russian authorities ban pet food supplies from Germany (zoo inform, 19 May 2021)
[4] Commission Regulation (EU) No 619/2011 laying down the methods of sampling and analysis for the official control of feed as regards presence of genetically modified material for which an authorisation procedure is pending or the authorisation of which has expired
[5] EU Community register of GM food and feed
In addition: Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed
