Russian Supreme Court Deems Challenge to GM Registration Rule Premature

According to a news source, the Russian Supreme Court has denied a challenge
filed by environmental groups to government Decree No. 839, which
will allow the registration of genetically modified (GM) crops and products
containing GM ingredients beginning July 1, 2014. Prime Minister Dmitry
Medvedev signed the decree in late September 2013, and the groups filed
their court challenge in December. They also wrote to President Vladimir
Putin, asking for him to prohibit the cultivation of GM crops in the country.
The Russian Supreme Court press service reportedly indicated that under the
Code of Civil Procedure government actions “can only be contested if they are
in effect and . . . give some rights and duties to citizens and legal entities at
the time they are contested.”

National Association of Genetic Safety Director Yelena Sharoikina reportedly
said, “It turns out that the Supreme Court suggests that we should wait for the
moment when Russians’ rights to health and safe environment are violated
before contesting Decree No. 839. However, I believe that we still have a
chance to stop the cultivation of GM[] in Russia until reliable information
proving that these technologies are safe to humans are obtained.” The groups
are also apparently concerned that foreign products that protect GM cereal
crops will take over the domestic market. See SustainablePulse.com, December
19, 2013; Russia & India Report, January 16, 2014; Interfax.com, January 21,
2014.

Issue 511