MOSCOW, April 24. /TASS/. The State Duma passed in the first reading the draft law prohibiting production of genetically modified plants and animals in Russia, except for scientific research purposes.

Penalties for use of genetic technologies in Russia may not appear earlier than July 1, 2017, State Duma deputy Kirill Cherkasov told TASS.

"It is necessary to designate the competent agency and vest it with rights to monitor and control genetically modified organisms (GMO), set up a network of laboratories for GMO identification and develop relevant procedures. Therefore this clause of the draft law will come into force in 2017," Cherkasov said. The document on the whole will become effective immediately after it is passed in third readings, the State Duma deputy added.

The government moratorium on the industrial genetic engineering and the GMO importation is currently in effect in Russia but no penalties for violations are provided, Cherkasov said.

According to the initiative, "it is prohibited to cultivate plants and breed animals, whose genetic program was modified using gene engineering methods, with the exception of their cultivation and breeding during expert examinations and scientific research work."

The government is granted the right to ban importation of genetically modified organisms and products to Russia if their adverse impact on human beings and environment is found.

The draft law also imposes administrative liability for use of genetically modified organisms "with breach of the authorized type and terms of use."