About GMO

A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an organism, with the exception of human beings, in which the genetic material has been altered in such a way that does not appear through natural mating and/or natural recombination.
The intentional introduction of GMO in the environment means intentionally bringing GMO or a combination of GMOs into the environment for which no special measures are taken to limit their contact with the general population and environment and to ensure a higher level of security for the general population and the environment.

The unintentional introduction of GMO into the environment is the accidental release of live modified organisms into the environment due to unforeseen events, accidents, improper handling or storage of live modified organisms and other actions.

It is not permitted to introduce GMO into the environment in protected areas and in areas of the ecological network, areas intended for organic agricultural production and ecological forms of tourism, and for areas that represent a protected zone of influence.

The Act on Genetically Modified Organisms (OG 70/05, 137/09) regulates:
- the handling of genetically modified organisms (GMO),
- cross-border transfer of GMO, products containing, comprising or originating from GMO,
- the limited use of GMO,
- intentional introduction of GMO in the environment,
- placement of GMO and products containing or originating from GMO on the market,
- handling, transport and packaging of GMO,
- handling waste arising from the use of GMO,
- responsibility for damages incurred from the illegal use of GMO,
- bodies authorised for implementation of this Act,
- conducting administrative and inspection supervision over the implementation of this Act.

Considering that the issues surrounding GMO are exceptionally complex and touch upon various sectors, so are individual approaches towards GMO, their use and handling fall under the competence of different ministries acting independently or in cooperation with other ministries.
For the implementation of the Act on Genetically Modified Organisms, expert, administrative and inspection tasks are carried out in cases when GMO and/or products containing GMO or originating from GMO are:
1. intentionally introduced to the environment - the Ministry of Culture is the responsible central state administration body for nature protection tasks
2. limited use in closed systems - the competent body is the central state administration body responsible for science

a. as food and animal feed-competent body is the central state administration body responsible for health
b. as reproductive material in agriculture and veterinary medicine competent body is the central state administration body responsible for agriculture and veterinary medicine
c. as medicine in veterinary medicine and substance for plant protection competent body is the central state administration body responsible for agriculture and veterinary medicine
c. as medicine in veterinary medicine and substance for plant protection competent body is the central state administration body responsible for agriculture and veterinary medicine
d. as seed material, plant parts and planting material for forest taxa and crosses for use in forestry competent body is the central state administration body responsible for forestry

4. in the use of cosmetics, pharmaceutical industry and human health protection: the competent body is the central state administration body responsible for health
5. Permission for placement of GM food or GM animal feed on the market is issued by the minister responsible for health, with the consent of the minister responsible for agriculture and veterinary medicine

Subordinate legislation regulating GMO:
Ordinance on the risk assessment for intentional introduction of genetically modified organisms into the environment (OG 136/06), regulates the content and scope of the risk assessment for the intentional introduction of genetically modified organisms into the environment, the methodology for compiling the risk assessment, and the conditions to be met by the legal person compiling the risk assessment
Ordinance on the conditions to be met by laboratories for testing, control and monitoring of genetically modified organisms (OG 26/10), regulating the conditions for premises, equipment and professional qualifications of employees to be met by laboratories for the testing, control and monitoring of genetically modified organisms and products containing and/or comprised of or originating from GMO
Ordinance on the content and scope of risk assessment for the marketing of genetically modified organisms (OG 39/08), regulating the content and scope of risk assessment for the marketing of genetically modified organisms or products containing and/or comprised of or originating from GMO, the methodology for drafting the risk assessment and conditions to be met by the legal persons carrying out the risk assessment
Ordinance on the content and manner of implementing the plan of measures for the elimination of uncontrolled spread of genetically modified organisms in the environment (OG 05/07), regulating the content of the plan of measures or manner of supervision, assessment of possible consequences and threats to biodiversity, the environment and human health, necessary protection measures, measures to control further spread, etc.

The Biosafety Clearing House (BCH) is a mechanism for the exchange of alerts on biosafety, established pursuant to Article 20 of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety has been ratified through the Act on Ratification of the Biosafety Protocol to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Development of the website for the new Croatian biosafety portal is underway. This will be a place to obtain complete information on the Cartagena Protocol, on the BCH and on issues concerning genetically modified organisms in Croatia.