The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) says it has not yet fined any chain store or person with regards to illegal importation of products containing Genetically Modified Organist (GMOs) considering the fact that the operations of NBA are relatively new and awareness is still being conducted with regards to the fine and court process to would be offenders.
NBA Act No. 10 of 2007 of the laws of Zambia provides that any person that commits an offence who researches, develops, imports, releases, places on the market or makes contained use of any genetically modified organism or product of a GMO without the written approval of the authority will attract a fine of 500,000 penalty units or 15 years imprisonment or both.
In an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times (ZBT), NBA said the authority will continue with its surveillance, spot and compliance checks to ensure that it continues to protect the humans, animals and the environment.
But when asked if the three chain stores that illegally imported GMO containing products have been fined by the authority, NBA said it had not yet fined the stores but the products were seized and destroyed to safeguard humans (safety).
“The chain stores have since started the permit application process for the products that they did not have permits for. As for those that they get from other distributors they have got the permits and have them in their shops. Since the operations of the NBA are relatively new we are still conducting awareness with regards the fine and court process to would be offenders,” NBA said.
The authority adds that it has intensified the public awareness, sensitization and education programmes to ensure that the public is well informed on the NBA and its mandate. A number of programmes have been scheduled to ensure that the Authority captures a large number of people in the awareness and education exercise.
