GMO Bill not withdrawn - Minister

By Paul Kiwuuwa

The minister of state for Finance in charge of Planning, Matia Kasaija, has refuted claims  that government has withdrawn  the National Biotechnology and Bio safety Bill, 2012 (BSBT). He said government fully supports the Bill.

A Bill whose objective  includes providing for development and general release of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Uganda was tabled in Parliament for the first reading last year by Ajuri county MP Denis Hamson Obua.

Minister Kasaija on the same day laid on table the certificate of financial implications of the Bill.

Appearing before the Committee on Science and Technology Wednesday at Parliament, Kasaija said consultations are going on to ensure different players give in their contribution before the Bill is passed into the law.

He revealed what he called the government position “Government has not withdrawn the BSBT 2012 Bill saying the NRM caucus had already discussed and considered the bill, but still wanted the input of other stakeholders, particularly critics.”

"The Bill has nothing sinister, it is just intended to promote and regulate the use of science and bio- technology, government want to expedite the process of passing it into a law.”Kasaija added.

He explained “Absence of a law to regulate the high rate of unregulated (GMOs) products in Uganda will impact a lot on people’s health.

He added “Uganda will become a dumping ground for GMO products if there is no law regulating the different importers of the products. Science and technology is the way to go; any country that does not think scientifically is always left behind. So, the [BSBT] bill is one of the much-needed laws," he said, before urging MPs to consider the Bill as soon as possible to close the legal vacuum and promote biotechnology.

 Committee chairperson Anthony Semmuli said BSBT Bill, 2012, if passed into law will provide for a regulatory framework to facilitate safe development and application of biotechnology.”

He stressed that once passed into law, the Bill would boost food production through the use of improved, drought and disease-resistant seeds and other planting materials. If it is approved by parliament, Uganda would join Rwanda and Kenya, among other countries that have already passed BSBT laws.

 Otuke Woman MP Annet Nyakecho said "If it becomes a law the Bill is not trying to kill our indigenous seeds but there is need to improve on them. I don't want Uganda to import food 10 years from now, but if we don't do something, we shall be importing food, “she said.

The Bill creates an authority in the National Council for Science and Technology that will test and approve all GMO seeds first, before rolling them out to farmers for safety reasons.

 If approved, into a law will include approving the development, testing and use of GMO in the country as well as updating the national focal point on matters relating to biotechnology and biosafety. Ends

The Authority will also ensure necessary measures to avoid adverse effects on the environment, biological diversity, and human health and on socio-economic conditions arising from GMOs.

It will further prescribe standards relating to development of GMOs advice government on issues of biotechnology and biosafety and coordinate the roles of other lead agencies in relation to handling of GMOs.