The National Assembly adopted at the second reading amendments to the Act on Genetically Modified Organisms. This brings the law into full compliance with European Union in this area. The amendments were initiated by the Ministry of Environment and Water.

The bill transposed the requirements of European legislation regarding the environmental risk assessment of GMOs in the part concerning the principles for carrying out an environmental and human health risk assessment. They apply to applications for release into the environment and placing on the market. The changes will provide better protection for human health and the environment from the potentially harmful effects of GMOs.

The amendments also change two other laws - on protected areas and on hunting and game. With a change in the Law on Protected Areas, the payment of compensation for damage caused within protected areas is regulated. The amount of the compensation is to be determined by an ordinance adopted by the Council of Ministers.

It is also envisaged that the order by the Minister of Environment and Waters that amends the boundaries and territory of ​​the reserve “Kaliakra” and of protected area “Stepite” will be entered into the Law on Protected Areas.

With the change in the law on hunting and game protection, the Minister of Environment and Waters is given the opportunity to issue regulations to establish the process for determining and paying compensations for damage caused by brown bears and cormorants.