GMOs: State, civil society should speak same language
Stakeholders from various sectors convened in the tourist capital Livingstone last week to fine-tune revision of the Biotechnology and Biosafety Policy, and the Biosafety Act of 2003.
The policy was formulated in 2003 following the country’s rejection of a donation of genetically modified yellow maize.
Government dispatched six scientists all over the world to study the efficacy of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), hence the formulation of the policy, which later culminated into an Act.
Fifteen years down the line, it has become imperative to review the policy and Act taking into account current and emerging issues.
Over the years, Government has come up with regulations, created the National Biosafety Authority (NBA), created a secretariat, put in place a board with scientific and advisory as well as administration and finance committees.
CIFOR