The Genetically Modified Food (England) Regulations 2004

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations, which apply to England, provide for the enforcement and execution of certain specified provisions (relating to food) of Regulation (EC) No. 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council on genetically modified food and feed (OJ No. L268, 18.10.2003, p.1). Separate Regulations make provision for the enforcement of those provisions of Regulation (EC) No. 1829/2003 relating to animal feed.

In particular these Regulations —

(a) formally designate the Food Standards Agency as the national competent authority to receive applications for the authorisation of new genetically modified organisms for food use, food containing or consisting of genetically modified organisms, or food produced from or containing ingredients produced from genetically modified organisms (regulation 3);

(b) provide for food authorities to enforce the provisions of these Regulations and Chapter II of Regulation (EC) No. 1829/2003 (regulation 4);

(c) establish penalties for failing to comply with certain specified provisions of Regulation (EC) No. 1829/2003, once the Regulations are in force (regulation 5 and the Schedule);

(d) apply various provisions of the Food Safety Act 1990 with some modifications in their application for the purposes of these Regulations (regulations 6 and 7);

(e) revoke the Genetically Modified and Novel Foods (Labelling) (England) Regulations 2000 (regulation 8);

(f) make consequential amendments to the Novel Foods and Novel Food Ingredients Regulations 1997 and to the Food (Provisions Relating to Labelling) (England) Regulations 2003 (regulation 9).

A Regulatory Impact Assessment has been prepared and placed in the Library of each House of Parliament. Copies may be obtained from the Novel Foods, Food Supplements and Additives Division of the Food Standards Agency, Aviation House, 125 Kingsway, London WC2B 6NH.