The National Bio-safety Authority (NBA) says the inflow of products that may contain Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s) into the country has been affected by Covid-19.
Authority Public Relations Manager Sandra Lombe told Money FM News, in an interview that there has been a drop in the amount of products that may contain GMOs being imported during this period compared to the same period last year.
Ms. Lombe said the pandemic which has affected trade between countries due to lockdowns, has also had a negative bearing on imports.
“COVID has affected trade between countries as many have had to lock down, this means that imports too have been affected,” she said.
“The flow of goods or products that may contain GMOs into the country has been affected by Covid-19 as not much has been imported over the lock down period.”
Ms. Lombe noted that Zambia only allows the importation of products which may contain GMOs after Risk assessment has been conducted on the products.
She said the Authority is glad that most distributors of GMO products in the Country have continued to comply and have been renewing permits for imports and placing on the market.
“We are glad that most distributors have continued to comply and they have been renewing permits for both import and placing on the market,” she said.