Kenyan President William Ruto has lifted the ban placed against the importation, planting and consumption of Genetically Modified (GM) foods, a statement obtained by ASHENEWS has revealed.
The earlier ban by the late former president Mwai Kibaki was precipitated by public health issues raised by the then public health minister Beth Mugo.
The cabinet’s lift if the ban on GMO foods import is to help the country cushion the effect of hunger.
The cabinet in its meeting chaired by Ruto also allowed the importation and growing of white GMO maize.
“In accordance with the recommendation of the Task Force to Review Matters Relating to Genetically Modified Foods and Food Safety, and in fidelity with the guidelines of the National Biosafety Authority on all applicable international treaties including the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB).
“Cabinet vacated its earlier decision of 8th November, 2012 prohibiting the open cultivation of genetically modified crops and the importation of food crops and animal feeds produced through biotechnology innovations;
“Effectively lifting the ban on Genetically Modified Crops. By dint of the executive action open cultivation and importation of White (GMO) Maize are now authorized,” the statement reads.
Cabinet meeting deliberations
The ban was lifted in a meeting between the president and cabinet secretaries to discuss strategies to arrest the biting drought in more than 20 counties in Kenya.
Currently, 23 counties in the Arid and Semi-Arid Areas (ASAL) are undergoing extreme drought and hunger, with 12 needing urgent support.
The meeting also reviewed the ongoing humanitarian aid and supply of relief food in those counties.
“As part of the medium to long term responses to the ongoing drought, and as a progressive step towards significantly redefining agriculture in Kenya by adopting crops that are resistant to pests and disease, Cabinet also considered various expert and technical reports on adoption of biotechnology;
“Including reports of the Kenya’s National Biosafety Authority (NBA), World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United States of America’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA),” the statement said.
In the attempt to improve the production of textiles, apparel, feed and other industries, the cabinet in 2019 approved the commercialisation of the production of a variety of genetically modified cotton that was resistant to pests.
Climate change adaptation efforts
Issues of climate change and adaptation were also featured in the Cabinet meeting and moreso in the adaptation matters.
The climate change topic was part of Ruto’s key presentations to the 77th United Nations General Assembly.
The cabinet focused on strategies to promote irrigation, planting drought-resistant crops and the roll-out of a response mechanism activated at the inception of adverse situations detrimental to plant and animal health.
This is meant to cushion farmers against situations that might escalate to major losses.
Ban on genetically modified food
The late former president Mwai Kibaki imposed a ban on GMO food over safety concerns raised by the then Public Health Minister Beth Mugo.
The minister cited a study that found that cancer in rats resulted from consuming modified foods.
The study was boosted by finding from the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).
WHO implied that the reason for developing genetically modified organisms is to improve crop protection, leading to higher yields.
The crop protection would also ensure that plants are resistant or adaptive to crop diseases caused by viruses or insects.
According to WHO, GMO is done by altering the genetic material of plants using modern technological advances.
WHO on GMO food
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said that safety must be the first thing to be assessed in all genetically modified foods to avoid mistakes.
“GM foods currently available on the international market have passed safety assessments and are not likely to present risks for human health,” WHO said in a statement.
The organisation claimed that no effects on human health have been seen because of the consumption of genetically modified foods in countries that approved its importation and growth.
However, WHO directed that it was important to carry out a case-by-case assessment before the full roll-out was done.
“Continuous application of safety assessments and, where appropriate, adequate post market monitoring, should form the basis for ensuring the safety of GM foods,” WHO explained.
