Kazakh Senate approved the biosafety and biosecurity law. It was set up on the initiative of the President. The situation with the spread of COVID-19 demonstrated the vulnerability of global society to the onslaught of such a threat as the pandemic, he said. Strengthening the legislative framework contributes to the further prevention of biothreats, the senators believe. As part of the law, an authorized body will be empowered to ensure interdepartmental interaction and coordination of actions of government agencies, the collection and analysis of information to work out measures for the prevention of biological threats. The powers of 13 interested authorized agencies and local executive bodies were divided. The main purpose of the law is to detect and prevent biological threats.
Kazakh Health Minister explained that biosecurity response scenarios will be worked out for each potential threat. They will provide algorithms for the actions of state bodies and other organization, their interdepartmental interaction during emergency situations.
“A staff reserve will be formed from qualified specialists who are trained to work with the most dangerous pathogens, with the possibility of their mobilization if necessary, for instance, in emergency situations, pandemic, assistance to other countries. The maintenance supply of the facilities for handling pathogens and bioagents will be adapted to the international standards. It is slated to reinforce state support measures for scientific and technical potential and resources by identifying priority research areas in biosecurity,” said Azhar Giniyat, Kazakh Health Minister.
The draft law consists of eight chapters and 32 articles. The document provides for a six-month transition period and additional six months to issue and renew permits for work with pathogenic bioagents.
Translation by Saniya Sakenova
Editing by Saule Mukhamejanova
Web-editor: Admin
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