No fewer than 25 genetically modified (GM) products have been approved in Nigeria, the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), said Tuesday.
The leading African ecological think tank, which disclosed this in a statement, explained that the GM products comprise 11 for field trials; 4 for commercial release; and 10 for food, feed or processing.
HOMEF said it was set to hold a National Conference on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) titled ‘Beyond the Propaganda: Unveiling the Truth About GMOs’ to interrogate the GMO issues.
The conference, organised in collaboration with GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance, is scheduled for July 30, 2024, at 9am.
It will address issues related to regulation of GMOs/approval processes, risk assessment, access to information, health, economic, and environmental implications of GMOs, as well as highlight the way forward for food sovereignty in Nigeria.
Nigeria approved its first GM food crop – pest-resistant cowpea – in 2019, but the risks and benefits of GMOs are on the front burner of public concern following greater public awareness,
In May 2024, the House of Representatives proposed a motion to probe the introduction of GMOs in the country and urged the Federal Government to suspend the introduction of new GMO crops.
HOMEF applauded the decision, saying it must be followed up to ensure that the investigation process is unbiased and that the concerned agencies have all the relevant information to make their recommendations.
The statement quoted Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, HOMEF’s Executive Director, as saying “There has been an uproar in the country since the most recent approval, i.e. of the TELA Maize genetically modified to be pest resistant and drought tolerant.
“Major concerns expressed by the public include the secrecy with which these GMOs are deployed, the implication of corporate control of seeds and the Nigerian food system, the contamination of the country’s local genetic resources, environmental degradation, health implications, and more.”
“It is of the essence that a multi-stakeholder forum is organized to cohesively address the various concerns with GMOs, review the experience so far, and come up with clear resolutions regarding their deployment and use as well as solutions for food sovereignty in Nigeria.”
HOMEF’s Director of Programmes, Joyce Brown, noted that “since the set up of the National Biosafety Management Agency Act in 2015, more than 20 different crop varieties have been approved by the Agency for various purposes including commercial release/market placement.
“As of 28th June 2024, according to information available on the Biosafety Clearing House (BCH) [where countries that are signatories to the Biological Convention on Biodiversity are required to upload information regarding decisions on GMOs], Nigeria has approved 25 GM products – 11 for field trials; 4 for commercial release; and 10 for food, feed or processing.”
Kindly register here to participate in the conference at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rdCc85JAS7K5eXNk7fhUww
