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3mon agoBY MATHEWS NDANYIRift-valley
Farmers are one step closer to growing Bt maize, pending approval from
Kenyans.
This month, the National Biosafety Authority will begin analysing public feedback on the application for the market placement of genetically modified (GM) maize, commonly known as Bt maize, for use by farmers.
Josphat Muchiri, the acting director of Biosafety Research and Compliance, said experts from the NBA will evaluate the feedback gathered from the public through online forms and hard copy submissions.
“We are also consulting with agencies such as the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (Kephis), the National Environment Management Authority (Nema), the public health sector and independent experts before making our final decision on the approval of Bt maize for market release,” Muchiri said.
He said while the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (Kalro) has conducted the research, the maize cannot be distributed to farmers until it receives approval from the National Biosafety Authority.
Muchiri assured Kenyans that a well-established legal, regulatory and institutional framework is in place to govern the handling of GMOs and their derived products in the country.
On December 6, the NBA issued a notice requesting Kenyans to provide their views on whether Bt maize should be introduced to the market for use by farmers.
This was after a ruling by Justice Oscar Angote of the Environment and Lands Court, who affirmed that Bt maize is not a threat to Kenyans, as necessary safety measures were put in place.
The NBA’s public participation efforts were carried out in Kakamega, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia and Machakos counties.
Bt maize, also known as MON 89034, was developed by Kalro and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation, with the application to release it for commercial use in Kenya submitted last month.
According to Kalro, the maize is designed to address the challenges posed by fall armyworms and maize stem borers, two major pests affecting maize production in Kenya and the broader region.
“The National Biosafety Authority is mandated, among other things, to promote awareness and education on biosafety matters. This is a responsibility we take seriously, with various outreach activities conducted across the country,” Muchiri said.
The decision to conduct public engagement is in line with the Biosafety Act, 2009. The law requires the NBA to notify the public upon receiving an application for the environmental release or open-field cultivation of GM products.
Muchiri said the NBA is responsible for overseeing the development, transfer, handling and use of GMOs to ensure human and animal health safety, as well as to provide adequate environmental protection.
“Before Bt maize can be commercially released, other regulatory approvals, including an Environmental
Impact Assessment and National
Performance Trials, will be required.
Further public engagement will take
place during these stages,” he said.
