Azerbaijan bans GMO tobacco 

Azerbaijan has implemented a ban on GMO tobacco, according to a story in the AzerNews. In addition to GMO tobacco, no GMO wine or cotton products can be imported to Azerbaijan or produced in the country, effective immediately.

A series of amendments to the laws “On tobacco,” “On viticulture and winemaking” and “On the cotton” have already been drafted, the parliament reported.

Changes to the “On tobacco” law ban the import of tobacco and tobacco products that were produced using genetically modified plants or agricultural plants created with methods of biotechnology and genetic engineering.

The Azerbaijan government has previously prohibited the import and distribution of GMOs as well as the use of genetically modified plants in food products.

In April, Azerbaijan decided to enforce criminal liability for the use of GMOs, and in July, the State Committee for Standardization, Metrology, and Patents reported that no GMOs were found during a routine check.