Cabinet clears GM maize imports

Importation of genetically modified maize was given the green light by Cabinet on Thursday in a bid to fight off a food shortage in the country.

The Cabinet approved a budget of Sh9 billion to buy food for an estimated 1.3 million Kenyans who need emergency aid due to a severe drought.

The decision comes a day after Public Health minister Beth Mugo conceded that unscrupulous traders could have sneaked in the grain, raising fears that Kenyans have been eating the gene maize.

The minister had told a news conference on Wednesday that the ministry has no capacity to test the safety of genetically modified food.
But a statement after the Cabinet meeting yesterday said that there would “be strict management of GMO food imports”.
Only millers would be allowed to import it and they would be expected to use it to mill flour only. No GM maize should be used as seed.

“All flour must be clearly labelled,” the statement from the Presidential Press Service stated.

The Cabinet said food coming into the country must be certified by the National Biosafety Authority.

The Cabinet also agreed that Sh9 billion would be used to buy emergency food.
Collision course

Allowing the importation of the maize could put the government on a collision course with activists opposed to GM food, who argue that it is unsafe.

The maize that has been coming into the country has been mainly from Malawi or Zambia, but now the doors have been opened for imports from South Africa and elsewhere where GM technology has been embraced.

Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service managing director James Onsando said on Wednesday that any imports must obtain clearance from the National Biosafety Authority before Kephis can allow it into the country. “It will not be a secret,” Dr Onsando added.

A request to import GM foods takes between 90 and 150 days to get the approval of the National Biosafety Authority according to the law.

It is not clear whether the government will waive, or reduce the period.