Canada relaxes rules governing gene-edited crops

摘要

Canadian health regulator Health Canada has published a fresh set of guidelines on gene-edited crops. The new instructions cover gene-edited crops that meet the criteria set for food that is not considered novel food could be treated the same way as conventional crops. That would mean they would not be required to go through the pre-market safety evaluation applied for genetically modified crops. The new regulations intend to enhance the understanding of the country's Novel Food Regulations, which Health Canada says could be interpreted to define many foods derived from GM plants - including some conventionally bred products - as “novel”, thereby requiring pre-market notification and safety assessment prior to sale. The development marks the first update to the guidance document since 2006.