Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05SOFIA17
2005-01-04 14:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Sofia
Cable title:  

BULGARIA'S BIOSAFETY LEGISLATION: CARTAGENA

Tags:  SENV EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO BU 
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UNCLAS SOFIA 000017 

SIPDIS


STATE FOR EUR/SCE CENAV, SBRANDON, EB/TPP/ABT/RSINGH,
OES/ETC/HLEE
USDA PASS FAS/BIG/JPPASSINO
BRUSSELS FOR AGRICULTURAL MINISTER COUNSELOR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIA'S BIOSAFETY LEGISLATION: CARTAGENA
PROTOCOL

REF: STATE 259661

UNCLAS SOFIA 000017

SIPDIS


STATE FOR EUR/SCE CENAV, SBRANDON, EB/TPP/ABT/RSINGH,
OES/ETC/HLEE
USDA PASS FAS/BIG/JPPASSINO
BRUSSELS FOR AGRICULTURAL MINISTER COUNSELOR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIA'S BIOSAFETY LEGISLATION: CARTAGENA
PROTOCOL

REF: STATE 259661


1. Bulgaria ratified the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in

2000. In 1996 Bulgaria set out a Biosafety Decree
regulating biotechnology work for contained use, and field
testing. Commercialization and trade (both imports and
exports) were not subject to this decree. Therefore, the
legislation was de facto silent on the trade implementing
regulations of the Cartagena Protocol.


2. Bulgaria started transposing the EU biotech legislation
in 2003/2004, due to its impending EU accession in 2007. A
Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) Law was drafted and
submitted to the Parliament in March 2004. Due to its
political sensitivity, this law is still in the Parliament.
Unofficially, the Committees on Agriculture, Environment and
Health, which have responsibility for this law, claim that
nearly two-thirds of the legislation has already been
approved. Final approval of the whole package is expected
in early 2005.


3. Under the current draft, the new GMO Law will cancel any
preceding regulations, such as the Biosafety Decree of 1996.
The proposed legislation is based on the EU regulations, but
in many areas is much more restrictive than the EU biotech
legislation. For example, the current draft would create a
list of specific products (tobacco, roses, etc.) that are
banned from commercialization as GM crops. Also, it calls
for certain geographic areas beyond the normal buffer zones
(national parks, national reserves, expanded buffer zones)
to remain GMO-free.


4. According to most researchers, experts, and politicians,
the law will not be enforceable. Furthermore, the law, if
approved by March 2005 as currently planned, will need
further modifications in order to reflect recent changes in
the EU legislation.


5. We have met with members of the relevant committees to
discuss the law and will continue to work with them to make
it more acceptable. Post looks forward to a potential
January visit of State Dept's Senior Advisor for
Agricultural Biotechnology, Madelyn Spirnak, to reinforce
our message.