Nigeria: Monsanto’s GM maize will not be allowed into the market within five years

The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has said that the Genetically Modified (GMO) maize recently approved to Monsanto Agriculture Nigeria Limited may not be in the market until another five years.
 

The five-year window period, according to the agency, is to ensure that the product meet all safety standards and without any side effect or significant difference from the conventional maize currently in season.
 

Director General of the agency, Rufus Ebegba, told The Guardian at the Murtala Muhammed Airport II (MMA2) Lagos terminal that the fears currently nursed in some quarters were unnecessary, adding that his approval of GMO maize and cotton trial in Nigeria were in the best interest of the country and the people's safety without room for compromise.
 

It would be recalled that the NBMA had recently issued two permits to Monsanto Agriculture Nigeria Limited. One is for the commercial release and placing on market of genetically modified cotton and the other for the confined field trial of maize, both of which were greeted with condemnation by the stakeholders on safety grounds.
 

Ebegba, contrary to persistent hue and cry against GM products in Nigeria, said that the products would only be allowed into the market after they have been confirmed safe for consumption.
 

Read entire story at AllAfrica.