The Swedish Board of Agriculture is responsible for activities involving genetically modified plants, animals and feedingstuffs. However, the Board is not responsible for aquatic organisms, nor for field trials or the placing on the market of forest trees intended for lumber production, nematodes, spiders or insects.Activities involving genetically modified organisms are divided into three areas: contained use (such as cultivation in a greenhouse or a climate chamber), field trials and placing on the market.
Before a genetically modified plant can be approved for any of the above activities, it must be the subject of a risk assessment. The purpose of such an assessment is to identify possible risks to the environment or to human health related to cultivation or handling of the plant. The assessment shall also evaluate the consequences of any unintended effects.
