Measures for the Administration of Safety Assessment of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms (2016).

These Measures are formulated in accordance with the “Regulations on Safety of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms” for the purposes of strengthening the safety assessment administration of agricultural genetically modified organisms (agricultural GMOs), safeguarding human health and safety of animals, plants and microorganisms, and protecting the environment. The Measures consist of 47 articles divided into 7 chapters: General Provisions (I); Safety Classes and Safety Assessment (II); Application and Approval (III); Technical Inspection Administration (IV); Supervision and Monitoring (V); Penalty Provisions (VI; Supplementary Provisions (VII).
In accordance with the provisions of Article 9 of the “Regulations on Safety of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms”, a national agricultural genetically modified organisms safety committee shall be established, which is responsible for the safety evaluation of agricultural GMOs (art.5). The national agricultural genetically modified organism safety committee is composed of experts engaged in the research, production, processing, inspection and quarantine, health and environmental protection of agricultural GMOs. Units engaged in the research and experiment of agricultural GMOs shall establish regulations for the operation of agricultural GMOs and strengthen the traceability management of agricultural GMO experiments (art.6). The safety certificate of agricultural GMOs shall be obtained for genetically modified plant seeds, breeding livestock and poultry, and aquatic fry and seeds as required in these Measures before the examination, registration, evaluation or approval is conducted in accordance with the provisions of relevant laws and administrative regulations (art. 8). Agricultural GMOs shall be divided into safety classes in accordance to Chapter 2. The Ministry of Agriculture shall be responsible for the supervision and administration of the safety of agricultural GMOs, the guidance of the work of safety control and monitoring of the agricultural GMOs in different ecological regions, and the establishment of a nationwide system of supervision, administration, and monitoring for the safety of agricultural GMOs.