The CSOs have repeated their calls and further escalated their concerns on the safety and impact on local agricultural system and socio-economic well-being of farmers on the Genetically Modified Organisms – GMOs intended to be re-introduced in Zambia after it was comprehensively banned.
The CSOs say they will not accept maneuvers to introduce or sneak in Genetically Modified Crops in the country at any cost. This follows the granting of licenses to importers to bring in foods containing GMOs into Zambia.
In a joint letter to government which was also availed to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT in Lusaka today, the 31 CSOs under ZAAB have rejected in totality the introduction of GMOs in Zambia saying the risks of the GMOs overweighs the benefits.
Community Technology Development Trust Project Manager Juliet Nangamba who is also ZAAB Executive Committee Member said all the CSOs in agriculture Sector strongly object to the recent maneuvers by the National Biosafety Authority – NBA to radically change the national position on genetically engineering in the food and agricultural sector.
They have since demanded that the NBA consult the people of Zambia if indeed they want the national position of no-GMOs revoked before continuing to forge ahead with proposed new policy and regulations that are not consistent with current national opinion.
And the Zambia National Farmers Union – ZNFU notes that Zambia stands to lose out on the investment that have been put into the agricultural sector and the market it has established for being a non GMO country over the years if GMO products are allowed in the country.
ZNFU Media and Public Relations Manager, Calvin Kaleyi said Zambia is known for producing non GMO crops that has high demand on the international market which he said should be guarded and maintained.
Kalayi said ZNFU will engage government at a high level to make the position known that GMO products have been rejected.
Speaking at the same briefing, a small holder farmer Robert Chimambo stated that GMO foods are mostly responsible for many health problems that include cancer and also highly contributes to the water and air pollution hence the need for all stakeholders to reject the move to introduce or re-introduce GMOs in the country.
Despite the country being a notable maize (corn) producer in the sub-Saharan region, Zambia has no local corn flakes manufacturing plants and relied on imports mostly from South Africa. It is this corn flakes product among others that contain GMOs and requires approval from the NBA for it to be imported into Zambia.
Below is an imported cornflakes brand that is said to contain some GMOs
