Zambia Alliance for Agroecology and Biodiversity says it remains concerned with importation of processed GMO food products into Zambia.
Alliance Chairperson Emmanuel Mutamba says ZAAB has been engaging with the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) and governing ministry regarding GMOs since 2010.
Mr. Mutamba says the major concerns at the time have been unregulated and unlabelled imported food containing GMOs.
He says other concerns have been on the lack of institutional capacity and funding to adequately address the wide range of issues.
Mr. Mutamba states that others are challenges related to modern biotechnology use; and the increasing foreign lobby push for Zambia to change its non-GMO position.
“The NBA have worked hard to better regulate imported processed foods containing GMOs and enhance public communication. Given the difficult economic constraints as a publically funded agency, we applaud and are grateful for their concerted efforts,” he said.
He added that there are two broader issues that the ZAAB remains concerned about and that these have not been addressed properly, nor is the public adequately aware.
“Our concerns relate to the two different aspects of GMO governance in Zambia; the importation of processed GMO food products and the ongoing policy amendments to change the country position on production of LIVE GMO crops,” said Mr. Mutamba.
“We deal with the first issue: The importation of processed GMO food products and the limitation to public participation. The NBA are working hard to ensure food products are regulated and go through the correct licensing processes. The ability of the public to object to these imported products, as per their legislated rights, is however extremely constrained.”
He further added that in order for citizens to participate in the pubic consultation process and object to GMO food imports, they must physically visit the NBA offices in Lusaka, and are then allowed to view only the non-confidential elements of the application dossier.

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