AgroPages-Zimbabwe govt tightens controls on GMO imports-Agricultural news

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Zimbabwe government is moving to tighten controls to curb importation of genetically modified material contained in agricultural products to avoid contaminating farming soil, protect farmers and ensure safety of consumers. The measures will be enforced through regulatory bodies authorised to issue out permits for importation of products that may contain genetically modified organisms.

Grain Marketing Board will be the sole issuer of grain permits. This was meant to protect Zimbabwe's farming soil, retain its food self-sufficiency capacity and safeguard consumers from the potential effects of GMOs.

Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made said in an interview that all genetically modified material will remain banned in terms of laws and policy of Zimbabwe.

Dr Made said this would remain the position for as long as there is inconclusive scientific and economic debate about the scientific and economic benefits of GMOs.

The Agricultural Marketing Authority and GMB will determine how much the country would need to import, if need be, to cover shortages before allowing imports.

Prospective importers would now need to show authorities certificates from country of origin of the imports, indicating that the material being imported is GMO free and that the country does not produce GMOs.

Dr Made said that Zimbabwe's policy position on GMOs had also been adopted by other Sadc ministers of agriculture in Malawi, who agreed to work together in seed research and the banning of GMOs.

Government's position, the minister said, was informed by the understanding that there were potential side effects associated with the use of GMO material while evidence of their benefits was not conclusive.