The use of
genetically modified organisms has not been discussed as a separate issue in
PABSEC yet. This report tackles the GMO-related issues, and reviews the
respective national and international legislative restrictions to summarize and
develop a general approach in this sphere.
The report reads that despite sufficient volume of foodstuffs production, the world faces an unprecedented crisis in the global food system due to the number of starving people. The primary goal of the food and agricultural policy should be to support an equal access to land resources, loans, professional training and assistance to the farmers.
Experts believe that a GMO-based agricultural model will not help achieve these goals, as GMO are produced from expensive seeds and chemical substances, which is economically inaccessible to the small farmers in the developing countries. A GMO-based agricultural model is affordable for the rich farmers, although it will increase their energy dependence and emission of pollutants into the atmosphere, and lead to the exhaustion of resources.
The report states that BSEC member states should focus on development of agriculture that produces organic foods and can become a foothold of economy and social sector. Further discussions on this topic will benefit the environment, agriculture, healthcare, tourism, social sector and economy of BSEC member states.
The recommendations concerning use of genetically modified organisms (GMO) in BSEC member states read that the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation realizes the importance of GMO-related issues against the backdrop of growing world population and increasing demand for foodstuffs and animal feed. Although the Black Sea region does not face serious problems with food supply in comparison with other regions, the GMO-related issues are topical in BSEC member states.
The Assembly believes that to tackle the GMO issues, an exhaustive legal framework on the use of GMO in BSEC member states should be developed, the specialized well-equipped laboratories should be established, new methodologies should be introduced, and comprehensive research on GMO should be conducted.
PABSEC recommends establishing research centers to train the professionals who could conduct research on GMO.
According to the recommendations, BSEC member states should devote more attention to the development of organic farming, which will lay the foundation of a safe economy. It is necessary to provide a free access to the information concerning GMO to the research institutes and the scholars working in the sphere of biotechnologies under the Convention on Biological Diversity signed in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
The Assembly welcomes activity of the international organizations, such as UNO, CIS IPA, EurAsEC, and PACE, on GMO-related issues, and appreciates the experience of the European Commission. The Assembly reminded of the adopted Recommendations 54/2001 "Promoting Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development", 81/2005 "Economic aspects of resolving environmental problems in the BSEC Member States", 94/2007 "State and prospects of fisheries in the BSEC Member States", and 114/2010 "Food Security in the BSEC Member States."