Don't Introduce GMO Crops - Groups Warn Nigerian Govt
Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 10:23 am
Nigeria needs to thoroughly debate the merit and demerit of GM foods before committing
Don't Introduce GMO Crops - Groups Warn Nigerian Govt
A non-governmental organisation has warned the Nigerian government against the proposed introduction of commercialised genetically modified crops (GMO) into the food system of the country.
Nigeria officially signed the Biosafety Bill into law in 2015, making it eligible to join the league of nations that are already using genetic engineering (GE), also called genetic modification (GM), to boost food production.
The National Biotechnology Management Agency (NBMA) regulates the technology.
Nigeria's federal government had earlier set a timeline for commercialisation of GE cotton and cowpea.
A few weeks ago, the deputy director of National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Rose Gidado, reaffirmed governments plan to introduce GMO cowpea and cotton in the market as biotechnology products.
But Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), an organisation at the forefront of the campaign against GMO products in a statement Thursday by its project officer, Joyce Ebebeinwe, criticised this move.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201804130294.html