The Zambia National Service (ZNS) involvement in the importation of genetically modified organism (GMO) mealie meal from South Africa to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) seems to have been lacking the necessary legal support as both ZNS and the ministry of agriculture have failed to clearly state which law supports ZNS to participate in such trade.
The Zambia National Service (ZNS) is a Defence Force Wing that is mandated to train citizens to serve the Republic, develop infrastructure, enhance National food security and contribute to the social economic development.
However, the recent announcement the the defense wing is involved in the importation of the GMOs when Zambia does not consume GMOs has raised concerns among members of the public who question the rationale behind the involvement of a wing that is responsible for providing non-GMO mealie meal to Zambian citizens.
This development has sparked a debate about the legality of ZNS’s involvement in the importation of GMO mealie meal and the implications of such actions.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, ZNS Chief Marketing and Public Relations Officer Col Mable Nyone deferred queries on the legality of ZNS’s involvement in the trade to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Nyoni failed to confirm whether or not there is law that supports ZNS’s involvement in trade and referred all queries to the Ministry of Agriculture.
“This mealie meal is not for sale in Zambia. You can ask Ministry of Agriculture then if there are laws that facilitate that because I don’t think there is any offence of transiting through a country because the mealie meal is not sold locally. So I think Ministry of Agriculture will be in a better position because they are the ones that give permits and for them to give that permit it means that there is something that is backing them,” said Nyone.
Meanwhile, when contacted for a comment Ministry of Agriculture revealed that there is no law that disqualifies ZNS from participating in international trade but failed to provide specific evidence.
When asked further to confirm which law qualifies ZNS to participating in international trade, Ministry of Agriculture failed to confirm the supporting law.
“The existing law does not exclude ZNS from importing mealie meal. There is no law that eliminates ZNS from participating in importation. That is what I’m telling you, there is no law that disqualifies ZNS from participating in importation. Even you. You can now apply and start importing.”
Experts are since calling for the government to clarify the legal framework surrounding the importation of GMO mealie meal and the involvement of ZNS in the trade.
