This page provides information on the risk assessments of GMOs carried out in various countries and relevant information on which GMOs and for what purposes (cultivation, marketing, etc.) have been authorised in those countries.

This page contains decisions and declarations relating to the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol by various countries. The search function can be used in English.

This page provides information on biosafety-related legislation in various countries. The search function can be used in English.

Here you will find the reports submitted by Estonia on the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol.

The objective of the Biosafety Clearing-House is to exchange information related to biosafety The Estonian Biosafety Clearing-House is part of a larger infrastructure for exchanging biosafety-related information between all countries that have acceded to the Cartagena Protocol [1]. The infrastructure has been set up under the Cartagena Protocol and is helpful to the parties in meeting the...

The need for biosafety was recognised as soon as the first GMO was created The term biosafety (sometimes also biological safety) has several meanings in Estonian. In a narrower sense, it means the prevention of diseases, poisonings, or allergies caused by biological organisms. This approach is used in the fields of food safety [1] and occupational health [2], as well as laboratory rules [3]...

Indigenous horticultural plants. How to keep them? Horticulture has become a science, and few have retained the knowledge and skills for growing food for themselves. Fortunately, there are a number of grandmothers who have been collecting vegetable seeds year after year, and so, many of the native plants grown in the farm gardens have survived. Horticulture in Estonia dates back to the beginning...

National support measures are needed to preserve indigenous breeds Six local endangered breeds have been officially recognised in Estonia: Estonian native cattle and the Estonian Native horse, the Estonian Draft horse and the old (universal direction) population of the Tori horse, the Estonian quail and the Kihnu native sheep [1]. Preservation of the breeds suitable for Estonia as well as genetic...

Indigenous breeds and varieties are grown less due to lower productivity and they are at risk of extinction Indigenous breeds (i.e. native breeds) and indigenous varieties are animal breeds or plant varieties created as a result of various factors, like local conditions, climate, and human breeding work. They are also called aboriginal breeds and varieties. Because they are bred and adapted for...

Natural genetic diversity is protected either in situ (in nature, in the species’ natural habitat) or ex situ (outside its natural habitat, under farm conditions) Genetic diversity is protected both as natural diversity and as agricultural genetic diversity or other genetic diversity necessary for humans (crops, pets, medicinal plants, etc.). Natural genetic diversity is protected either in situ...