New Biosafety Commission of GEP Established in Indonesia

A Biosafety Commission of Genetically Engineered Product (KKH) has been established in Indonesia to implement the provision of Article 29 paragraph 1 of the Government Regulation 21 Year 2005 on the Safety of Genetically Engineered Crops and Biological Products. The commission was established by Presidential Regulation No. 39 last June 15, 2010 and signed by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

The commission will be under the responsibility of the president and is assigned to assist the minister and other pertinent agencies in giving recommendations about biosafety, in conducting control over importation and use of genetically engineered products (GEP), as well as in the scientific evaluation of applications and reports. Dr. Ir Agus Pakpahan is the chairman designate of the commission, composed of selected government and non government personnel. The commission has the authority to assign the Biosafety Technical Team for Genetic Engineered Product in the conduct of evaluation and technical assessment of biosafety of GEP. The Biosafety Clearing House of Genetically Engineered Product (BKKH) will serve as the communication arm of the commission. The establishment of the commission hopes to expedite the implementation of the regulations and activities concerning the adoption of GEP in a safe and sustainable manner.

See full document of Presidential Regulation number 39 year 2010 (in Bahasa) at http://www.depdagri.go.id/produk-hukum/archieve/peraturan-presiden/tahun/2010. For details on biotechnology in Indonesia contact Dewi Suryani of Indonesian BiotTrop at catleyavanda@gmail.com.