The first Better Training for Safer Food activity on analysis of genetically modified organisms (GMO) is to take place in Foz de Iguazu, Brazil on 4-5 December 2009. This event is being organised by DG Health and Consumers together with the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC).

This regional networking meeting will bring together around 40 participants from across Latin America and the Caribbean, including representatives of enforcement bodies and project leaders involved in GMO analysis. It is aimed at strengthening Latin American and Caribbean countries' capacities in the area of testing for the presence of GMOs.

According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, 129 GMO events used to generate transgenic plants are commercialised in various parts of the world and this number is constantly increasing. Of these, only about 20 are authorised for food or feed use in Europe. A specific event may therefore be authorised in an exporting country but not in an importing country.

A more uniform approach to GMO analysis, including good understanding of EU control and safety requirements will help international trade. Capacity building through training should increase the expertise of non-EU operators, thus helping them to adapt their procedures for checking compliance with EU requirements.

This project aims to enhance harmonisation of GMO analysis by establishing regional and eventually international networks outside of the EU and providing training to enforcement laboratories. The project involves evaluation of needs and priorities, identification of the relevant institutions and experts, organisation of regional networking meetings, training courses and follow up networking meetings.

As part of the collaboration between DG SANCO and the JRC, a further regional networking meeting is to be held for Africa which will also include a five-day mission carried out by JRC staff. A follow-up networking mission will be organised to cover Asia and a training course will take place for new EU Member States, candidate, potential candidate and European Neighbourhood Policy countries. All of these events are scheduled to take place during 2010.