Kenya’s National Biosafety Authority has suggested that the government lift a ban on imports of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This comes as agrochemical company, Monsanto, plans to enter the east African market.
In 2012, Kenya imposed a ban on GMOs on the basis of the crops being a threat to public health. This locked out South Africa, Africa’s largest corn producer.
“We recommend lifting the ban,” National Biosafety Authority chief executive officer, Willy Tonui, was quoted by Bloomberg news agency as saying. He added that Kenya border control, surveillance and a strong regulatory system, would allow the country to handle GMOs more effectively.
The authority expects to make a decision on the GMO corn-seed application by the end of the month, Tonui said.
