Kenya Lifts 10-year GMO Ban
Kenya approved the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops on Monday, 3rd October lifting a 10-year ban on biotechnology foods in the country. This is a move to address the severe drought in Arid and Semi-arid regions and the current high cost of food in the country, which pushed inflation to a 63-month high in September. The approval makes Kenya the second country in the continent after South Africa to allow biotechnology foods.
Currently, there are no GMO foods in the Kenyan market. The few genetically modified materials are only meant for study and are protected by the sector regulator; the National Biosafety Authority. Manufacturers including GMO seed manufacturers and traders dealing in grain imports are set to benefit from the policy change which will boost the local grain stock and will increase US-Kenya trade relationship with US being the world’s biggest producer of GMO crops.
