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n the Member States of the European Union (EU), including Hungary, a uniform legal regime is in force with regard to GMOs. Directives and regulations determine the authorisation of
• deliberate releases of GMOs (field trials, contained use of GMOs),
• the import, use and cultivation of GMOs,
• placing of the market of GM products
including genetically modified feeds, foods and other, for instance industrial uses.
Legislation in Hungary is full harmonised with the relative EU legislation. The Act on Gene Technology Activities and the related implementation regulations control the use of GMOs and transpose related EU directives into national law, in addition to which European Union regulations concerning GMOs are also directly applicable in Hungary.
Hungary was the first country in Central-Eastern Europe to adopt legislation regulating gene technology activities (Act XXVII of 1998: hereafter the Gene Act). The Act and the regulations issued to assure its implementation regulate the contained use of (i.e. having no contact with the environment) genetically modified microorganisms, the release of GMOs into the environment, the coexistence of GMO and non-GM plants, and the placing on the market of GM products for feed, food or for other uses. The Act and regulations set down the rules of the authorisation procedure and determine the appropriate authorising and control authorities.
The Gene Technology Advisory Committee, which provides professional opinions on applications submitted to the gene technology authorities and makes recommendations on their acceptance or refusal, was also set up in accordance with the Gene Technology Act.
