GMO: Follow due process in seeds, grains imports, NBMA warns dealers

The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has urged Genetically Modified Organism (GMOs) dealers to follow due processes in importation of GM seeds and grains.
The Director Genera, NBMA, Dr. Rufus Ebegba, who said this at a consultative forum with Nigerian GM seeds and grain dealers in Abuja added that the agency will not hesitate to penalize any erring importers who is found breaking the laws guiding importation of genetically modified seeds and grains.
He said that, the key responsibility of the agency is to ensure that the practice of Modern Biotechnology and use of its products, such as GMOs, are safe for human health and the environment.
He stressed the importance of the seed and grain industry to Nigerian economy and advised importers of such products to always get the appropriate permits for the interest of the safety of Nigerians even as he added that the Agency is primarily concerned with the gene of insert.
According to him, there is no sacred cow and whoever imports GMOs without following due process will be made to face the law. Every importer must first apply to the agency before bringing GM seeds and grain into the country.
“We are working closely with our sister Agencies; Nigerian Custom Service (NCS), Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), National Seed Council (NaSC), and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), to ensure that our operations are smooth and effective,” he said.
“The decision to repatriate the recently imported GM maize into the country was expected and any importer who brings in GM products without following the law will face the same situation,” he added.
“Since existence of the Agency, it has tried to put in place instruments and requirements to ensure effective operations.
The Director General, National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), Dr.Philip Ojo in his address, said the meeting is timely as many industries have produced and sold seeds with falsified labeling without verifying their contents.
He also urged the importers to always ensure due steps for smooth business.
In addition, the Country Coordinator, Program for Biosafety Systems, Dr. M.P.O. Dore, urged the media to embark on investigative journalism in reporting modern biotechnology in order to enlighten the public on the truth about GMOs.
He also stressed that even Europe that banned the practice of GMOs and their products, import GM products into their countries.