GOVT ASKED TO CLEAR AIR ON GMOS

The Zambia National Farmers’ Union -ZNFU has called on the Ministry of Agriculture to state its position on the importation of GMOs.
ZNUF President Jervis Zimba says it is important that Government clarifies the position and the direction on the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) decision to allow companies to import foods containing Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) matter.
Mr. Zimba says the GMO imports will threaten to destroy the country’s agendas to improve agriculture and the diversification of the economy.
He also said ZNFU wants to seek legal representation on the development.
But National Biosafety Authority Public Relations Officer Sandra Lombe said the authority followed procedure before giving permits to import GMO processed foods.
Ms. Lombe said the authority has given permits for only processed foods and not GMO animal or crops.
She said a risk assessment was carried out by the authority to make sure that the products being imported are Safe.