MPs support amendments to the Convention on GMOs

In parliament on Friday MPs discussed amendments to the Act on the Ratification of Amendments to the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters, which regulates the public's right to access information on GMOs.

As explained by the Minister of Environmental Protection and Green Transition Marija Vučković, Croatia is not assuming any new obligations that would require amendments to existing legislation: “Our legal system is already aligned with the provisions stipulated by these amendments to the Convention, and today, by confirming the amendments to the Convention, we emphasize our high level of alignment with the European and global frameworks that regulate the handling of GMO organisms.”

She went on to point out that public information is elaborated in the laws, emphasizing that the public is not only informed, but must also participate in decision-making when it comes to GMOs.

In support of this technical amendment, the SDP bench in parliament argued that it is not enough for information to exist if it is difficult to access or incomprehensible, nor for there to be a possibility for citizens to participate in decision-making if it is reduced to a formality without real influence.

“In the context of decision-making on genetically modified organisms, transparency and inclusiveness must be at the highest level, which requires an open dialogue with experts and the wider public,” said SDP MP Sanja Bježančević.

Support was also given by MOST MPs, but they also pointed out the necessity of monitoring the implementation of the laws and regulations themselves in real life, and not just their adoption in parliament. They noted that at the same time that MPs are debating environmental protection in parliament, an attempt is being made to build a chicken mega-farm in Sisak-Moslavina County, toxic medical waste is accumulating in Lika, while Rijeka is choking on thousands of tons of waste.

Source: HRT