See reply to question 13

As an EU Member State, Latvia complies with European Community law. For the description of the EU framework, please see the report of EC. Latvia has adopted the Law on Circulation of Genetically Modified Organisms valid since 19.12.2007. This Law is to ensure the safe circulation of genetically modified organisms by preventing the negative impact on human and animal health or the environment, preserving biological diversity, promoting the development of sustainable agriculture and biotechnology, as well as the co-existence of genetically modified crops concurrently with organic and conventional farming. Additionally, there are several sectoral legal acts connected to biosafety, based on EU legal acts: The list of legal measures pertaining to GMOs has been submitted to the Biosafety Clearing-House.

The EU framework for medical products as outlined by the submission of the European Commission also applies for Latvia. The relevant provisions of Directive 2001/18/EC are transposed into Latvia law by the Law on Circulation of Genetically Modified Organisms.

The EU framework as outlined by the submission of the European Commission also applies for Latvia. For details please refer to the EU report. The relevant provisions of Directive 2001/18/EC and Directive 2009/41/EC have been transposed into the Law on Circulation of Genetically Modified Organisms and to the regulatory enactments issued by law.

For additional information see the submission of the European Commission.

For a description of the comprehensive regulatory framework of the EU, which is applicable in Latvia, please see the respective submission of the European Commission. Decisions for authorisation of LMOs-FFP are taken at the EU-level and authorise the use of these LMOs-FFP in all EU Member States, including Latvia.

The relevant provisions are set in Art 20 Directive 2001/18/EC and Art 21 and 22 of Regulation (EC) 1829/2003, as well as the Latvian Law on Circulation of Genetically Modified Organisms.

See submission of the European Commission regarding the EU regulatory framework. The EU has not made use of the simplified procedure for imports of LMOs as specified in Article 13.

See submission of the European Commission with regard to the respective provisions of the EU regulatory framework. Latvia, as part of the EU, has not entered in any arrangements or agreements that are relevant in the context of Article 14.

European Biosafety laws were either transposed into Latvian Laws or are directly applicable. The biosafety framework mandates to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment prior to decision making. Depending on the applications the risk assessments are conducted either on the national level or on the EU level. The procedure on the EU level involves also the EU Member States, including Latvia. Decisions with regard to release and placing on the market of LMOs are taken on the EU level according to its regulatory framework and are binding for all EU Member States, including Latvia. Latvia also contributes to the risk assessment and risk management of LMOs at the European level and to discussions on these subjects. For further information see the respective submission of the European Commission.

Article 14 of EU Regulation 1946/2003 provides for measures to prevent unintentional transboundary movement of GMOs and appropriate responses, including emergency measures. For further information see the respective submission of the European Commission.

Further details on the implementation of Article 18 in Latvia and in other EU Member States are outlined in the submission of the European Commission with regard to the EU regulatory framework.

For further details see the respective submission of the European Commission. The Ministry of Agriculture is the national focal point for the Cartagena Protocol and also responsible for the Deliberate Release Directive EU 2001/18/EC, GMO feed, food and seed products containing or consisting of GMOs and for contained use of GMOs.

Not applicable.

Decisions with regard to release and placing on the market of LMOs are taken on the EU level and are binding for all EU Member States. Respective information is provided by the European Commission to the BCH and not by Member States of the EU. For further details see the respective submission of the European Commission.

For further information see the respective submission of the European Commission.

For additional information see the submission of the European Commission.

For further information see the respective submission of the European Commission.

For further information see the respective submission of the European Commission.

EU legislation contains explicit obligations on Member States to lay down rules on penalties applicable to infringements of the provisions of EU legislation. Latvia applies EU requirements with the Law on the Circulation of GMOs. For further information see the respective submission of the European Commission. The two cases referred to concern the unintentional export/import of genetically modified organisms (GM rapeseed line GT73, GM Norfolk Purple Tomato). Latvia continues to monitor and implement biosafety measures in accordance with EU regulations.

According to the Directive 2001/18/EC and amendment the Directive 2015/412 , an EU Member State may decide to restrict the cultivation of an authorized GMO, based on grounds related to environmental or agricultural policy objectives, or other compelling grounds including socioeconomic impacts, which might arise from the cultivation of the GMO on the territory of the Member State concerned. Latvia implements the requirements of the directive through national regulatory enactments. We have no GMO cultivation. For further information, see the respective submission of the European Commission.

These questions relate to matters subject to common EU-legislation and decision making. For further information, see the respective submission of the European Commission.

National legislation transposing Directive 2004/35/EC on environmental liability with regard to prevention and remedying of environmental damage.

Latvia ratified the Nagoya–Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress in 2011. National legislation in transposing Directive 2004/35/EC on environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage.For further information see the submission of the European Commission.