Legal regulation of biotechnology use in the context of food security

It is indicated that the Strategy for the Digital Development of Innovative Activity of Ukraine for the period until 2030, approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated December 31, 2024 No. 1351-r, includes as one of the strategic goals the creation of a favorable regulatory regime for the development of biological technologies, which are an interdisciplinary field that radically changes a number of traditional industries and offers innovative technologies for them. Innovations in the field of biological technologies arise at the junction of biological, chemical and technical sciences and cover areas from genetic engineering to biofuels. The article is devoted to the analysis of legal regulation of biotechnology use in agricultural production in the context of food security in the face of modern global challenges. The paper substantiates the position that biotechnology is currently one of the tools for increasing the efficiency of agricultural production, stabilizing food systems, and forming adaptive forms of agricultural production capable of responding to climate change, degradation of natural resources, and growing food risks. The development of biotechnology in the agricultural sector requires appropriate legal regulation, which should combine the promotion of innovation with ensuring safety for human health, the environment, and biological diversity. The article analyzes the main areas of legal regulation of the use of biotechnology in agricultural production, in particular in the field of genetically modified organisms, their creation, testing, research, transportation, storage, release into the environment, etc.; legal protection of intellectual property of biotechnological inventions; biosafety; the use of biological means of protection of crops, biofertilizers, and biological preparations to increase the productivity of crop and livestock production, as well as bioenergy. The key functions of the application of biotechnology in agricultural production are identified. It is emphasized that effective legal support for the use of biotechnology is a necessary prerequisite for the formation of sustainable and adaptive forms of agricultural production capable of minimizing the negative impact of modern challenges on the volume, quality, and safety of food.