NBA invites public input on genetically modified Bt maize in Kenya

KENYA – The Kenya National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has invited Kenyans to submit comments on the proposed release of genetically modified (GMO) maize, known as Bt maize, into the market.

This follows a formal application by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), who aim to introduce the pest-resistant crop to mitigate the effects of devastating pests like maize stem borers and fall armyworms.

In a public notice, the NBA assured Kenyans that the proposed Bt maize varieties are undergoing rigorous safety assessments to ensure they are fit for human and animal consumption.

 If approved, the NBA will conduct further National Performance Trials (NPTs) to evaluate the maize under varying environmental conditions, as mandated by the Seeds and Plant Varieties Act.

Additionally, the Authority emphasized its commitment to ongoing monitoring to ensure compliance with biosafety laws and to protect public health and the environment.

The Authority is asking Kenyans to share their thoughts through application forms available on its website.

“Members of the public are invited to submit their comments in writing within 30 days of this announcement,” the Authority said.

Bt maize, developed using modern biotechnology, promises to address significant challenges in Kenya’s agricultural sector.

By protecting crops against pests, it reduces dependency on chemical pesticides, which pose health and environmental risks. KALRO projects that Bt maize could increase yields and improve food security by reducing crop losses due to pest infestations and aflatoxin contamination.

This application comes after the High Court upheld President William Ruto’s decision to lift a decade-long GMO ban.

Following the ruling, the NBA, established under the Biosafety Act of 2009, emphasized that all GMO activities, including importation, cultivation, and market placement, must adhere to strict legal requirements.

Individuals and entities dealing in GMOs are required to secure prior written approval from the NBA, as stipulated in Sections 18 to 23 and Section 50 of the Act. Unauthorised activities could result in penalties under Section 52, which criminalizes non-compliance.

The NBA has made application procedures and forms available on its website and the government’s E-Citizen platform to streamline the process.

The authority also serves as Kenya’s focal point for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, an international agreement aimed at ensuring safe GMO practices.

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