STATEMENT ON GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS
Mr. Speaker,
In line with your ruling yesterday that the Government issues a Statement on Genetically Modified Foods, in particular on the importation and consumption of Genetically Modified Maize, I rise to make the following Statement:
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines GMOs as organisms in which the genetic material, otherwise known as deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA, is artificially altered in a way that does not occur naturally. This technology, sometimes called biotechnology or gene technology or genetic engineering allows the selection and transfer of individual genes from one organism into another.
With regard to foods, gene technology has been used to improve durability and nutritional value of crops, improve on crop resistance against plant diseases, increase crop yields, generate seeds that mature faster with little rain and generally reduce the use of herbicides or insecticides in agricultural production.
Mr. Speaker,
With regard to the safety of GMO foods, WHO has opined as follows:
“GM foods currently available on the international market have passed risk assessments and are not likely to present risks for human health. In addition, no effects on human health have been shown as a result of the consumption of such foods by the general population in the countries where they have been approved. Continuous use of risk assessments based on the Codex principles and, where appropriate, including post market monitoring, should form the basis for evaluating the safety of GM foods.”
WHO lists maize, soy bean, squash, potato, oilseed rape and chicory as GM crops currently on the international market. These crops are traded in Argentina, Canada, South Africa, United States and EU countries.
(I table WHO Answers to 20 Frequently Asked Questions on GM Foods)
The Government, informed by the shortage of non-GM maize in the international market, has authorized the importation of GM maize during this drought crisis on the following conditions:
1. That all importations, marketing, transportation and/or exportation of any GM maize be done by registered millers only and with the written approval of the National Biosafety Authority issued under Sections 20, 21, 22 and 23 of the Biosafety Act, Act No.2 of 2009 as enacted by this House;
2. That all applications for the importation, marketing, transportation and/or exportation of any GM maize be made by millers to the National Biosafety Authority;
3. That all quantities of imported GM maize be handled by registered millers only and be milled into flour with none being distributed as seeds; and
4. That any flour made from GM maize be labelled as such to give full information to the consumer at the time of purchase;
Mr. Speaker,
While several millers have made inquiries from the National Biosafety Authority on the procedure for the importation of GM maize, no miller has actually made an application for licence to import GM maize. This is because the necessary Biosafety Regulations outlining the procedure for importation of GM foods are with the Government Printer waiting publication.
All the maize that has been imported by the millers have been certified GMO free by the Kenya Bureau of Standards and Inspection Agencies such as Intertek.
(I hereby table the necessary supporting documents from these Agencies)
Rt. Hon. Raila A. Odinga, EGH, MP
PRIME MINISTER
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