GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS ACT
No. 15 of 1997
Government Gazette, Vol. 383, No. 18029,
23 May 1997
ACT
To provide for measures to promote the responsible development,
production, use and application of genetically modified organisms; to
ensure that all activities involving the use of genetically modified
organisms (including importation, production, release and distribution)
shall be carried out in such a way as to limit possible harmful
consequences to the environment; to give attention to the prevention of
accidents and the effective management of waste; to establish common
measures for the evaluation and reduction of the potential risks arising
out of activities involving the use of genetically modified organisms; to
lay down the necessary requirements and criteria for risk assessments; to
establish a council for genetically modified organisms; to ensure that
genetically modified organisms are appropriate and do not present a hazard
to the environment; and to establish appropriate procedures for the
notification of specific activities involving the use of genetically
modified organisms; and to provide for matters connected therewith.
(English text signed by the Acting President.)
(Assented to 20 May 1997.)
BE IT ENACTED by the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, as
follows:
Definitions
1. In this Act, unless the context otherwise indicates-
- "accident" means any incident involving an unintended general
release of genetically modified organisms which could have an
immediate or delayed adverse impact on the environment; (xxi)
- "appeal board" means an appeal board appointed in terms of section
19; (iv)
- "applicant" means any person in control of facilities and
activities involving genetic modification of organisms and includes
"user"; (i)
- "Committee" means the Advisory Committee established by section
10; (xvii)
- "contained use" means any activity in which organisms are
genetically modified or in which such genetically modified organisms
are cultured, stored, used, transported, destroyed or disposed of and
for which physical barriers or a combination of physical barriers
together with chemical or biological barriers or both are used to
limit contact thereof with the environment; (vii)
- "control" means to examine, regulate, manage or direct any
activity within a person's jurisdiction; (vi)
- "Council" means the Executive Council for Genetically Modified
Organisms established by section 3; (xxv)
- "department" means the Department of Agriculture; (ix)
- "Director-General" means the Director-General: Department of
Agriculture; (x)
- "environment" means the aggregate of surrounding objects,
conditions and influences that influence the life and habits of man or
any other organism or collection of organisms; (xx)
- "general release" means the introduction of genetically modified
organisms into the environment by whatever means, where the organisms
are no longer contained by any system of barriers and are no longer
under any person's control, so that the organism is likely to survive
and be disseminated; (iii)
- "gene therapy" means a technique for delivering functional genes
(to replace aberrant ones) into living cells by means of a genetically
modified vector or by physical means in order to genetically alter the
living cell; (xii)
- "genetically modified organism" means an organism the genes or
genetic material of which has been modified in a way that does not
occur naturally through mating or natural recombination or both, and
"genetic modification" shall have a corresponding meaning; (xiii)
- "hazard" means an intrinsic biological, chemical or physical
characteristic of a genetically modified organism which could lead to
an adverse impact on the environment; (xiv)
- "inspector" means any person appointed as an inspector in terms of
section 15; (xvi)
- "Minister" means the Minister for Agriculture; (xviii)
- "monitoring" means the maintaining of regular surveillance over,
the checking of, the warning about or the recording of a situation or
process; (xix)
- "notification" means the presentation to the Council of documents
containing the information required by the Council; (viii)
- "officer" means an officer as defined in section 1(1) of the
Public Service Act, 1994 (Proclamation No 103 of 1994), read with
section 1 of the Public Service Amendment Act, 1996 (Act No. 13 of
1996); (v)
- "organism" means a biological entity, cellular or noncellular,
capable of metabolism, replication, reproduction or of transferring
genetic material and includes a micro-organism; (xxii)
- "permit" means a permit referred to in section 5(a) and includes a
written authority; (xxiii)
- "prescribed" means prescribed by regulation; (xxix)
- "registrar" means the person appointed under section 8; (xxvi)
- "regulation" means a regulation made under this Act; (xxvii)
- "risk" means the probability of causing or incurring a loss or
damage or an adverse impact or a misfortune; (xxviii)
- "this Act" includes the regulations; (xv)
- "trial release" means the deliberate release of genetically
modified organisms into the environment in the open under conditions
where the degree of dissemination of the genetically modified
organisms is limited by chemical or physical barriers or by built-in
barriers which prevent the survival of such organisms in the
environment; (xxiv)
- "user" means any natural or legal person or institution
responsible for the use of genetically modified organisms and includes
an end-user or consumer; (xi)
- "waste" means any matter, whether gaseous, liquid or solid or any
combination thereof, which is, in the opinion of the person in whose
possession or under whose control it is, an undesirable or superfluous
by-product, emission, residue or remainder of any process or activity
in connection with genetically modified organisms. (ii)
Application of Act
2. (1) This Act shall apply to-
- the genetic modification of organisms;
- the development, production, release, use and application of
genetically modified organisms (including viruses and bacteriophages);
and
- the use of gene therapy.
(2) This Act shall not apply to techniques-
- involving human gene therapy;
- in which recombinant DNA molecules or genetically modified
organisms are not employed-
- in in vitro fertilisation in humans and animals;
- in conjugation, transduction, transformation or any other
natural process: and
- in polyploidy induction;
- in which genetically modified organisms as recipient or parental
organisms are not employed-
- in mutagenesis;
- in the construction and use of somatic hybridoma cells; and
- in cell fusion (including protoplast fusion) of plant cells.
Executive Council of Genetically Modified Organisms
3. (1) There is hereby established a council to be known as the
Executive Council for Genetically Modified Organisms, which shall consist
of not more than eight members appointed by the Minister. (2) The
members referred to in subsection (1)-
(a) shall be one officer of each of the following national
departments of State:
- The Department of agriculture;
- the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology;
- the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism;
- the Department of Health;
- the Department of Labour; and
- the Department of Trade and Industry, who shall have knowledge of
the implications of genetically modified organisms with regard to the
sector represented by his or her department;
(b) shall include the chairperson of the Committee; and (c) may
include any other person
(3) The Minister shall designate a chairperson and a deputy chairperson
from among the members of the Council. (4) The deputy chairperson
shall exercise all the powers and perform all the duties of the
chairperson whenever the chairperson is unable to do so.
Objectives of Council
4. The Council shall advise the Minister on all aspects concerning the
development, production use, application and release of genetically
modified organisms, and to ensure that all activities with regard to the
development, production, use, application and release of genetically
modified organisms are performed in accordance with the provisions of this
Act.
Powers and duties of Council
5. In order to achieve its objectives, the Council may-
- require any applicant for a permit to use facilities for the
development, production, use or application of genetically modified
organisms or to release such organisms into the environment, to submit
to the Council through the registrar, an assessment of the risk and,
where required, an assessment of the impact on the environment of such
development, production, use, application or release, as the case may
be;
- require the registrar to examine the conformity of an application
to the requirements of this Act;
- require the registrar to maintain a register of all facilities
involved in the contained use or the trial release of genetically
modified organisms as well as the names and addresses of persons
concerned with such contained use or trial release of genetically
modified organisms;
- require notification by the applicant of any intended change in
the type of activities or release involving genetic modification of
organisms being undertaken at facilities for which approval was
granted in terms of paragraph (g), in which case the Council may
require the applicant to apply for a new permit;
- require the registrar to arrange for the inspection by an
inspector of facilities where activities with or the release of
genetically modified organisms are being undertaken;
- require the registrar to arrange for the inspection of all
activities as he or she may deem necessary, including contained use,
trial release and general release to ensure that all terms and
conditions attached to a permit issued under this Act are complied
with;
- after consideration of the risk assessment and, where required,
the environmental impact assessment referred to in paragraph (a), and
in consultation with the Committee, approve, subject to the provisions
of this Act and any other law and in accordance with such terms and
conditions as the Council may deem necessary, the use of the
facilities concerned for the purpose for which the application was
made, or the release of genetically modified organisms into the
environment, and authorise the registrar to issue a permit
accordingly;
- (i) require that the user immediately notify the registrar both
orally and in writing of any accident involving genetically modified
organisms and require that the registrar be supplied with information
on the circumstances of the accident, the identity and quantity of
genetically modified organisms released, any information necessary to
assess the impact of the accident on the environment and the emergency
measures taken to avoid or mitigate any adverse impact of such
accident on the environment;
(ii) require the registrar to appoint
a panel to enquire into and report on the causes of an accident, and
to make recommendations to the Minister with a view to avoiding
similar accidents in the future and with a view to limiting the
adverse impact of such accidents;
- inform any other country of any accident that may have an impact
on that country's environment;
- co-operate or enter into agreements with any person or institution
upon such conditions as the Council and the person or institution
concerned may agree upon;
- promote co-operation between the Republic and any other country
with regard to research, development and technology transfer in the
field of the genetic modification of organisms;
- with the consent of the Minister approve and publish guidelines
for all uses of genetically modified organisms;
- advise the Minister on-
- prohibitions;
- the authorisation and exercise of the necessary control of
imports;
- the development, production, use, application, release and
distribution of genetically modified organisms;
- the authorisation or notification of contained uses;
- the authorisation of trial or general releases;
- the control measures to be taken in the event of an accident;
- any other matter with regard to genetically modified organisms;
- make recommendations to the Minister on the appointment of members
to the Committee.
Vacancies in Council
6. (1) A vacancy in the Council shall occur when a member
- ceases to be an officer;
- is absent without leave from more than three consecutive meetings
of the Council;
- resigns;
- is removed from the office in terms of subsection (2);
- dies.
(2) The Minister may at any time remove a member of the Council from
office if the Minister is of the opinion that such member is no longer
competent to fill his or her office or that he or she has misconducted
himself or herself. (3) A vacancy in the Council shall be filled as
soon as practicable in accordance with section 3. (4) Whenever the
Minister is satisfied that any member of the Council is prevented by
illness or any other reason from performing the duties of his or her
office, the Minister may appoint any other person whom he or she considers
suitable to act as the deputy of that member while such member is so
prevented, and such deputy shall during the period he or she so acts,
perform the functions of the member in whose stead he or she has been
appointed so to act: Provided that a person appointed as the deputy of the
chairperson or the deputy chairperson shall only perform the duties of an
ordinary member, unless the Minister otherwise directs.
Meetings of Council
7. (1) Meetings of the Council shall be held at such times and places
as the chairperson may determine from time to time: Provided that the
first meeting shall be held at a time and place determined by the Minister
(2) The quorum for any meeting of the Council shall be a majority of
the members (3) A decision of the Council shall be reached on the
basis of consensus. (4) The Council may determine its own procedures
to be followed at its meetings and cause minutes to be kept of its
proceedings. (5) The Council may co-opt other knowledgeable persons to
serve on the Council in order to advise the Council whenever the Council
deems it necessary. (6) The Council may invite written comment from
knowledgeable persons on any aspect of genetic modification which lies
within the Council's brief.
Appointment of registrar
8. (1) (a) As soon as possible after the composition of the Council and
whenever necessary thereafter the Minister shall, after consultation with
the Council, appoint a suitably qualified and experienced person as
registrar. (b) An appointment under paragraph (a)-
- shall terminate if the person resigns as registrar;
- may be terminated by the Minister if the registrar does not
perform his or her duties satisfactorily.
(2) The registrar-
(a) is charged with the administration of this Act; (b) may
exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be conferred upon or
delegated or assigned to him or her by or under this Act or by the
Council.
(3) Whenever the registrar is for any reason absent or unable to
perform his or her functions, or whenever a vacancy in the office of the
registrar occurs. the Council may designate a member of its staff to act
in that capacity until the registrar resumes his or her functions, or a
registrar is appointed in terms of subsection (1), and that member has,
while so acting, such powers and shall perform such duties of the
registrar as may be delegated or assigned to him or her by the Council.
(4) Any action of the registrar may at any time be withdrawn or
amended by the Minister. (5) The Director-General shall designate'
subject to the provisions of the Public Service Act, 1994 (Proclamation
No. 103 of 1994), as many officers of the department as may be necessary
to assist the registrar in the exercise of his or her powers and the
performance of his or her duties.
Functions of registrar
9. The registrar shall subject to the instructions of and the
conditions laid down by the Council-
- issue a permit as required or prescribed under this Act;
- where he or she has ascertained or suspects on reasonable grounds
that genetically modified organisms are being imported or locally
produced or used contrary to the provisions of this Act or the
conditions of a permit issued thereunder-
- serve a notice upon any person by whom or on whose behalf
genetically modified organisms are being so imported into, produced
or used in the Republic for the removal of such genetically modified
organisms to a place or facility and in a manner prescribed by the
Council; and
- authorise an inspector to destroy such genetically modified
organisms or cause it to be destroyed, subject to procedures and
other provisions as set out in this Act;
- amend or withdraw a permit issued under this Act;
- furnish an inspector with a certificate of appointment;
- require the cessation of any genetic modification activity at
facilities where the provisions of this Act or the conditions of a
permit have not been or are not being complied with; and
- ensure that appropriate measures are undertaken by all users at
all times with a view to the protection of the environment from
hazards
Advisory Committee
10. (1) There is hereby established an Advisory Committee which shall
consist of not more than ten persons appointed by the Minister after the
recommendation of the council for a period not exceeding five years of
whom
- not more than eight members shall be knowledgeable persons in
those fields of science applicable to the development and release of
genetically modified organisms;
- two persons shall be from the public sector and shall have
knowledge of ecological matters and genetically modified organisms.
(2) The Council shall. in recommending members for appointment to the
Committee, endeavour to achieve representation from all the fields of
expertise involved with genetically modified organisms. (3) The
Minister shall, after the recommendation of the Council, designate any
member of the Committee as chairperson. (4) In the absence of the
chairperson the remaining members of the Committee shall elect an acting
chairperson from their number. (5) The acting chairperson shall
exercise all the powers and perform all the duties of the chairperson
whenever the chairperson is unable to do so. (6) A member of the
Committee whose period of office has expired shall be eligible for
reappointment.
Functions of Committee
11. (1) The Committee shall-
- act as the national advisory body on all matters concerning or
related to the genetic modification of organisms;
- advise, on request or of its own accord, the Minister, the
Council, other Ministries and appropriate bodies, on matters
concerning the genetic modification of organisms and, inter alia,
advise them-
- on all aspects relating to the introduction of genetically
modified organisms into the environment;
- on proposals for specific activities or projects concerning the
genetic modification of organisms;
- on all aspects concerning the contained use of genetically
modified organisms;
- on the importation and exportation of genetically modified
organisms; and
- on proposed regulations and written guidelines;
- liaise through the relevant national departments with
international groups or organisations concerned with biosafety; and
- invite written comments from knowledgeable persons on any aspect
of the genetic modification of organisms which lies within the
Committee's brief.
(2) The Committee may appoint subcommittees to deal with specific
matters as required.
Funding
12. (1) To members of the Committee, subcommittee members and the
member referred to in section 3(2)(c) shall be paid such remuneration as
the Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance, may
determine. (2) The Committee shall annually and in accordance with the
departmental budgetary programme submit a budget to the Council.
Conflict of interest
13. A person appointed to the Committee shall immediately recuse
himself or herself as a member of the Committee if a subject matter is in
issue in which he or she has any direct or indirect interest or if, for
any other reason, there is or there is likely to be a conflict of interest
as a result of his or her participation in the proceedings of the
Committee.
Prohibition of activities concerning genetically modified
organisms
14. The Minister may, on the recommendation of the Council, by notice
in the Gazette prohibit any activity involving genetically modified
organisms.
Inspectors
15. (1) The registrar may appoint any officer, or with the approval of
the Minister, any person who is not an officer, as an inspector to
exercise and perform the functions referred to in subsection (4) and in
section 16. (2) Every inspector shall be furnished with a certificate
signed by the registrar stating that he or she has been appointed as
inspector under this Act. (3) An inspector shall, at the request of any
person affected by the exercise or performance of a function by such an
inspector, exhibit the certificate referred to in subsection (2) to such a
person. (4) An inspector may, on the authority of a warrant issued in
terms of subsection (5), conduct an investigation to determine whether the
provisions of this Act are being or have been complied with, and may, for
that purpose during normal office hours and without giving prior notice,
enter any place or facility in respect of which he or she has reason to
believe that a contravention of the provisions of this Act is taking
place-
- to inspect any activity or process carried out in or upon such
place or facility in connection with any activities referred to in
this Act;
- to request any information regarding such an activity or process
from the owner or person in charge of such place or facility or from
any person carrying out or in charge of the carrying out of such
activities;
- to seize any appliance, book, statement or document and take
samples of material or substances which appear to provide proof of a
contravention of any provision of this Act; and
- to give notice to the owner of any material, substance, appliance,
book, statement or document seized under paragraph (c) or to the
person who had control over it immediately before any seizure under
subparagraph (c) to remove the seized items at such person's own cost
within a period and to a place specified in such notice.
(5) (a) A warrant referred to in subsection (4) shall be issued by a
magistrate who has jurisdiction in the area in which the place or facility
in question is situated, and shall only be issued if it appears from
information on oath that there are reasonable grounds to believe that any
material, substance, appliance, book, statement or document that may
relate to a contravention of this Act, is upon or in such place or
facility. (b) A warrant issued in terms of this section shall be
executed with strict regard to decency and order. (6) (a) If no
criminal proceedings are instituted in connection with any item referred
to in subsection (5)(a), seized in terms of subsection (4), or if it
appears that such item is not required at any trial for the purpose of
evidence or an order of court, that item shall be returned as soon as
possible to the person from whom it was seized. (b) After the
conclusion of criminal proceedings any item seized in terms of subsection
(4) and which served as an exhibit in proceedings in which a person was
convicted, shall be handed over to the inspector to be destroyed or
otherwise dealt with as instructed by the registrar.
Routine inspections by inspectors
16. An inspector may during office hours, without warrant, enter any
place or facility registered in terms of this Act in order to-
- open any container found in or upon such place or facility and
which the inspector believes on reasonable grounds to contain material
of any genetically modified organism;
- examine the material of any genetically modified organism and take
samples thereof;
- inspect any activity or process carried out in or upon the place
or facility in connection with genetically modified organisms; and
- require the owner or occupier thereof to produce for inspection or
for the purpose of obtaining copies or extracts, thereof or therefrom
any book, label, shipping bill, bill of lading or other document with
respect to the administration of this Act.
Determination of risks and liability
17. (1) Users shall ensure that appropriate measures are taken to avoid
an adverse impact on the environment which may arise from the use of
genetically modified organisms. (2) The liability for damage caused by
the use or release of a genetically modified organism shall be borne by
the user concerned: Provided that when such an organism was in the
possession of an inspector as set out in section 15(4), the user concerned
at the time of such use or release shall not be held liable for any damage
unless such user foresaw or should have foreseen such damage and could or
should have prevented the damage but failed to take reasonable action to
prevent such damage.
Confidentiality
18. (1) No person shall disclose any information acquired by him or her
through the exercise of his or her powers or the performance of his or her
duties in terms of this Act, except-
- in so far as it is necessary for the proper application of the
provisions of this Act;
- for the purposes of any legal proceedings under this Act;
- when ordered to do so by any competent court; or
- if he or she is authorised to do so by the Minister.
(2) The Council shall decide, after consultation with the applicant,
which information will be kept confidential and shall inform the applicant
of its decision: Provided that the following information shall not be kept
confidential-
- the description of the genetically modified organisms, the name
and address of the applicant, and the purpose of the contained use or
release and the location of use;
- the methods and plans for the monitoring of the genetically
modified organisms and for emergency measures in the case of an
accident; and
- the evaluation of foreseeable impacts, in particular any
pathogenic or ecologically disruptive impacts.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (2), the Council may
after consultation with the applicant and if the Council is satisfied on
the grounds of information furnished by the applicant that certain
information should be withheld in order to protect the intellectual
property of the applicant, withhold such information for the period needed
to protect such rights. (4) If, for whatever reasons, the applicant
withdraws an application, any party who has knowledge of the details of
the application must respect the confidentiality of the information
supplied.
Appeals
19. (1) A person who feels aggrieved by any decision or action taken by
the Council, the registrar or an inspector in terms of this Act may,
within the period and in the manner prescribed and upon the payment of the
prescribed fee, appeal against such decision or action to the Minister,
who shall appoint an appeal board for the purpose of the appeal concerned.
(2) (a) An appeal board shall consist of the person or persons who, in
the opinion of the Minister, has or have expert knowledge and who is or
are otherwise suitable to decide on the issues of the appeal concerned.
(b) If an appeal board consisting of more than one person is
appointed. the Minister shall designate one of the members as chairperson
of that appeal board. (c) A person appointed under paragraph (a),
shall recuse himself or herself as a member of the appeal board if he or
she has any direct or indirect interest in the subject matter of the
appeal or if, for any other reason, there is or there is likely to be a
conflict of interests as a result of his or her participation in the
proceedings of the appeal board. (3) There may be paid to a member of
an appeal board who is not in the full-time employment of the State, from
money appropriated by Parliament for such purpose, such remuneration or
allowances as the Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister of
Finance, may determine. (4) An appeal board may-
- confirm, set aside or amend the decision or action concerned which
is the subject of the appeal;
- refer the relevant matter back to the registrar for
reconsideration by the Council; or
- make such other order as it may deem fit.
(5) If a decision or action which is the subject of an appeal-
- is set aside, the fee referred to in subsection (1) shall be
refunded to the appellant concerned; or
- is amended, such portion of the fee referred to in subsection (1)
as the appeal board concerned may determine, shall be refunded to the
appellant.
(6) The decision of an appeal board, together with the reasons
therefor, shall be reduced to writing, and copies thereof shall be
furnished to the Minister, whereupon the Minister may take such further
action as he or she may deem necessary.
Regulations
20. (1) The Minister may make regulations-
- regarding the application for and the issue of permits in terms of
this Act;
- prescribing the procedure to be followed by an applicant for the
purpose of drawing up risk assessments and environmental impact
assessments for submission to the Council in terms of this Act;
- prescribing the fees payable in respect of any application, matter
or document;
- regarding the classification and types of genetically modified
organisms;
- regarding requirements for the contained use of genetically
modified organisms;
- regarding requirements for laboratory development of genetically
modified organisms;
- regarding the standards to which facilities for activities
involving genetically modified organisms should conform;
- regarding requirements for trial release of genetically modified
organisms;
- regarding requirements for the effective management of waste;
- regarding information to be submitted to the Council in the case
of a notification in terms of this Act;
- regarding requirements for the general release and marketing of
genetically modified organisms;
- regarding the importation and exportation of genetically modified
organisms;
- regarding the registration of a place or facility where activities
concerning genetically modified organisms are undertaken;
- prescribing-
- the manner in which and period within which an appeal under
section 18 should be lodged;
- the fee payable in respect of such an appeal;
- the procedure at the proceedings of an appeal board; and
- the period within which an appeal board shall decide on an
appeal;
- prescribing control measures which shall be complied with by a
user;
- regarding classes of genetically modified organisms exempted from
control under this Act; and
- concerning, generally. any matter which he or she considers
necessary or expedient to prescribe in order that the objects of this
Act may be better achieved, the generality of the powers conferred by
this paragraph not being limited by the provisions of the preceding
paragraphs.
(2) Any regulations made under subsection (1) may provide that any
person who contravenes or fails to comply with a provision thereof, shall
be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine, or to
imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years.
Offences and penalties
21. (1) Any person who-
- contravenes or fails to comply with any condition, restriction,
prohibition, reservation or directive imposed or issued in terms of
this Act;
- obstructs or hinders any inspector in the exercise of his or her
powers or the performance of his or her duties in terms of this Act or
refuses to furnish information as required in terms of this Act to the
registrar;
- refuses or fails to furnish information or give an explanation or
to reply to the best of his or her ability to a question lawfully
demanded from or put to him or her by any inspector in the performance
of his or her functions in terms of this Act, or furnishes
information, an explanation or a reply to any inspector which is false
or misleading, knowing that it is false or misleading; or
- falsely holds himself or herself out to be an inspector or any
other officer appointed in terms of this Act, shall be guilty of an
offence.
(2) Any person convicted of an offence under this Act, shall-
- on a first conviction be liable to a fine, or to imprisonment for
a period not exceeding two years; and
- on a second or subsequent conviction be liable to a fine, or to
imprisonment for a period not exceeding tour years.
(3) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any law contained, a
magistrate's court shall be competent to impose any penalty or make any
order prescribed by this Act.
Delegation of powers
22. The Minister may, subject to such conditions as he or she may
determine, in writing delegate any power conferred upon him or her by this
Act, other than a power referred to in section 20, to an officer employed
by the department, but shall not be divested of any power so delegated and
may amend or set aside any decision of the delegate made in the exercise
of such power.
Short title and commencement
23. This Act shall be called the Genetically Modified Organisms Act,
1997, and shall come into operation on a date to be fixed by the President
by proclamation in the Gazette. |