The Russian government has removed some of the obstacles to the state registration of feed additives containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs), the Russian veterinary watchdog Rosselhoznadzor has revealed.
Under the new rules, scheduled to come into force from October 1, 2025, businesses can file an application online using a simplified procedure.
"The applicant completes an application for state registration of a GM organism, attaching two types of studies: molecular genetic studies and studies confirming biosafety. If the decision is positive, they are sent a pre-completed new application form for registration of the feed additive," the Russian regulator said.
Rosselhoznadzor emphasized that it is expected the new service to be in little demand, indicating that to date, not a single feed additive containing GMO has been registered in Russia.
"We estimate that this [move] expands business opportunities for GMO-containing feed additives in the Russian market. However, it's premature to speak about ‘wide-open door’," commented Sergey Mikhnyuk, executive director of the National Feed Union.
Still, Mikhnyuk said that the Russian feed industry welcomed this innovation. "Until recently, the process was divided into two sequential stages: first, it was necessary to register the GMO and then submit documents for registration of the feed additive. Now these stages have been combined into a comprehensive service, but the sequence itself has not been eliminated."
This is not the first example of the recent liberalization of rules pertaining to GMOs in feed products in Russia. In June 2025, the Russian government also permitted the import of GM soybeans for the production of feed intended for export. According to Mikhnyuk, that decision had no impact on the Russian livestock industry, since as expected the feed manufactured from GMO soybeans is not available on the domestic market.
