Czech Republic: Agricultural Biotechnology Report 2005
USDA/FAS GAIN report EZ5010

HIGHLIGHTS

The Czech Republic, as a member of the EU, follows the EU’s legislative framework for biotechnology. Act 78/2004 replaced the first Act on GMO 153/2000. The Ministry of Environment is the competent authority for handling biotech product notifications, and the Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for notifications of biotech food and feed. The Czech Republic ratified the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in October 2001. This year about 300 hectares of Bt corn (MON 810) is being grown in the Czech Republic for the first time. The Czech Republic’s coexistence rules require isolation distances and notifications to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Environment. When voting on biotech approvals at various levels in the EU, the Czech Republic takes a case-by-case approach and bases its decision on scientific evidence.

Full report in PDF format:  http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200507/146130206.pdf