Some 50 customs officers received basic training in the identification of GMOs, but have no access to facilities or equipment for their detection. The country has no certified laboratory to identify GMOs. It is, simultaneously, struggling with the challenge to ensure the more effective management of already-designated protected areas. All eight protected area categories are to a certain extent represented in the current system of protected areas. According to the Management Plan for the Tigrovaya Balka state nature reserve for 2012-2016, the area of this reserve, previously encompassing 49,786 ha, was extended in 2011 by an additional 12,462 ha of the Dzhilikulsky, Kabadiyansky and Kumsangirsky districts, and currently amounts to 62,248 ha.