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Nigeria issued permits for Monsanto’s GM cotton and maize
Jun. 20, 2016
The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), the regulatory body for biotechnology in Nigeria, has issued two permits for the Commercial Release and Placing on Market of genetically modified cotton (MON15985), and the confined field trial of maize (NK603 and MON 89034 x NK603), to Monsanto Agriculture Nigeria Limited. They were signed by NBMA's Director-General, Rufus Ebegba, on May 1.
This act was strongly condemned by many groups in Nigeria, saying the move came despite concerted efforts of many Nigerians (comprising 100 groups of farmers, faith-based organizations, civil society groups, students and local farmers) to prevent the introduction of genetically modified (GM) cotton and maize into Nigeria's foods and farming system.
Ibrahim Jibril, the Minister of State for Environment, had also promised that "Nigeria would not mortgage the safety of its citizens by introducing unproven products into the country".
Nnimmo Bassey, Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation, described the development as "extremely shocking".
"This is little wonder officials of NBMA, National Biotech Development Agency (NABDA) and their pro GMO train have been fighting tooth and nail to fool Nigerians by claiming that GMOs are safe," said Mr. Bassey, whose group is among those at the front line of the resistance.
"They approved the poorly concocted applications and issued these permits on a Sunday when government offices do not open. In fact, 2nd May was also a public holiday."
Source: Buzz Nigeria
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