An overview on Swiss decisions and declarations, which are relevant in the framework of the Cartagena Protocol, can be found below.

Specifically relevant are the following categories of decisions and reports on:

• decisions on GMOs under the Advance Informed Agreement (AIA), which applies to the first intentional transboundary movement of GMOs for intentional introduction into the environment of the party of import
• decisions on GMOs for food, for feed or for processing under Article 11 of the Cartagena Protocol
• other decisions and declarations (decisions concerning transit, unintentional or illegal transboundary movement, decisions on import or release, taken prior to entry into force of the Protocol) and
• Risk Assessment Reports carried out to evaluate the potential adverse effects of GMOs on biodiversity and human health.

Decisions according to the AIA-mechanism:

Switzerland has not yet issued decisions according to the AIA mechanism of the Cartagena Protocol.

Decisions according Article 11 of the Cartagena Protocol:

Article 11.4 of the Cartagena Protocol: A Party may take a decision on the import of living modified organisms intended for direct use as food or feed, or for processing, under its domestic regulatory framework that is consistent with the objective of this Protocol.

Three genetically modified maize varieties and one genetically modified soy variety are currently authorised as food and animal feed in Switzerland:

 
Further information about genetically modified food or feed is available in German, French or Italian on the website of the Federal Office of Public Health.

Marketing of GMOs

Marketing of GMOs requires a federal licence. There is a moratorium until 27 November 2013 on cultivating GMOs in agriculture, silviculture or horticulture. This time-limited ban was approved by popular referendum 27.11.2005 and prolonged from Swiss Parliament for three more years on 18.3.2010.

Further information on legal bases and competences.

Experimental releases of GMOs in Switzerland

The Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) is responsible for issuing licences to release GMOs for experimental purposes. The Release Ordinance (Art. 7-11, 17-19, 22, 36-41 RO) regulates this procedure. So far six applications were submitted and assessed:

• B/CH/07/04 (B07004): Application for authorisation to release genetically modified Ae. cylindrica x Triticum aestivum hybrids for experimental purposes - Authorised 03.09.2007
• B/CH/07/02 (B07002): Application for authorisation to release genetically modified wheat strains for experimental purposes - Authorised 03.09.2007
• B/CH/07/01 (B07001): Application for authorisation to release genetically modified wheat strains for experimental purposes - Authorised 03.09.2007
• B/CH/00/03 (B00003): Application for authorisation to release genetically modified wheat for experimental purposes - Authorised 30.10.2003
• B/CH/98/02 (B98002): Application for authorisation to release genetically modified potatoes for experimental purposes - Rejected 16.04.1999
• B/CH/98/01 (B98001): Application for authorisation to release genetically modified maize for experimental purposes - Rejected 16.04.1999

Relevant publications from the Federal Office fort he Environment:

The following publications are only available in German, but include English summaries.

• Monitoring of genetically modified organisms
  A policy paper representing the view of the National Environment Agencies in Austria and Switzerland and the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation in Germany
  Umweltbundesamt GmbH, Vienna 2011.
• Biosafety in non-human gene technology. Results of a four-year research programme 2004-2008. (2009)
  The research programme deals with the detection of possible negative effects on the environment that could be caused by genetically modified organisms (GMO), crops in particular. The goal is to provide authorities with the scientific basis to evaluate risks and for the decision-making process. The study shows how a post market monitoring (PMM) has to be set up and what operating expenses it would cause.
• Molecular markers in genetically modified organisms. Comparing applications and risk assessment. (2002)
  Molecular markers are used to select or prove the presence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and to make cellular processes visible. The report provides a useful aid for comparing and evaluating marker systems in terms of their properties with relevance for human beings and the environment.