Singapore guidelines on the release of agricuture-related gmos

“Agriculture-related organisms” refers to animals (including fish and invertebrates), plants, microorganisms and vaccines used in cultivation, farming, agronomy, husbandry and horticulture.

The Singapore Guidelines on the Release of Agriculture-Related GMOs was published by GMAC in August 1999 to ensure the safe import, release and use in Singapore of agriculture-related organisms that have been genetically modified. The Guidelines provide a common framework for:

the assessment of risks of agriculture-related GMOs to human health and the environment; andthe approval mechanisms for their release in Singapore

Under the Guidelines, before the release of any agriculture-related GMOs in Singapore, the proponent is required to submit a proposal to the GMAC, where the Subcommittee on the Release of Agriculture-Related GMOs scrutinizes the application in accordance to the Guidelines. For issues related to food safety, GMAC, like many other national and international agencies, adopts the concept of “substantial equivalence”. This means that if a new food or food component is found to be substantially equivalent to an existing food or food component, it can be treated to be as safe as the conventional food or food component.

Following the recommendations of the Subcommittee, GMAC will decide whether or not it will endorse the particular application. Its decisions will be forwarded to the regulatory authorities, who will take into account, among other things, GMAC’s recommendations when considering the final approval of the application.

The process for the evaluation and approval of agriculture-related GMOs in Singapore is outlined in the flowchart.