Kenya: Call to lift ban on GMO imports

Delegates from 30 countries from around the world, attending an international Agri-biotech and Biosafety Communication conference in Nairobi have called on the Kenya Government to lift a 2-year ban on GMO imports. The Principal Secretary in Kenya’s Ministry of Industrialization and Enterprise Development, Dr, Wilson Songa emphasized the role of agricultural biotechnology in propelling the country towards prosperity.  “To harness this potential the GMO import ban must be lifted,” he said.  In addition, he said that Kenya has adequate capacity to develop and ensure safety of GMO products. Members of Parliament present, called upon the government to release a report by a taskforce constituted after the ban by the ministry of health to look into the safety of GM foods.

The delegates, comprising of farmers, scientists, policy makers and private sector from 30 countries around the world emphasised the role of agricultural biotechnology in propelling the country towards prosperity.
"Agri-biotech and biosafety communications must be simplified and messages delivered in appropriate languages for different stakeholders to make impact," the delegates said.