Division A Characteristics of (a) the donor, (b) the recipient or (c) (where appropriate) parental organism(s):

scientific name,

taxonomy,

other names (usual name, strain name, etc.),

phenotypic and genetic markers,

degree of relatedness between donor and recipient or between parental organisms,

description of identification and detection techniques,

sensitivity, reliability (in quantitative terms) and specificity of detection and identification techniques,

description of the geographic distribution and of the natural habitat of the organism including information on natural predators, preys, parasites and competitors, symbionts and hosts,

organisms with which transfer of genetic material is known to occur under natural conditions,

verification of the genetic stability of the organisms and factors affecting it,

pathological, ecological and physiological traits:

1. (a)

   classification of hazard according to existing Community rules concerning the protection of human health and/or the environment;

2. (b)

   generation time in natural ecosystems, sexual and asexual reproductive cycle;

3. (c)

   information on survival, including seasonability and the ability to form survival structures;

4. (d)

   pathogenicity: infectivity, toxigenicity, virulence, allergenicity, carrier (vector) of pathogen, possible vectors, host range including non-target organism. Possible activation of latent viruses (proviruses). Ability to colonise other organisms;

5. (e)

   antibiotic resistance, and potential use of these antibiotics in humans and domestic organisms for prophylaxis and therapy;

6. (f)

   involvement in environmental processes: primary production, nutrient turnover, decomposition of organic matter, respiration, etc.

Nature of indigenous vectors:

1. (a)

   sequence;

2. (b)

   frequency of mobilisation;

3. (c)

   specificity;

4. (d)

   presence of genes which confer resistance.

History of previous genetic modifications.