ACTESA CALLS FOR CONTINUED SENSITISATION AND DEBATE ON BIOTECHNOLOGY

The Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA) has called for continued dialogue among stakeholders to find the way forward on the controversies surrounding biotechnology.

Speaking in Lusaka during the official opening of the National Consultative Workshop on Draft Bio safety Policies and Guidelines for (COMESA) region on 7th April 2011, ACTESA Chief Executive Officer, Cris Muyunda said biotechnology is not for developed countries and commercial farmers alone but for all farmers, hence the need for continued sensitization and debate surrounding its usage in the region.

In a speech read for him by COMESA Manager for Research and analysis, Bridget Chilala, Dr. Muyunda noted that agriculture contributes to half of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and remains the main stay of most low income countries’ economies.

He said it is therefore imperative to acknowledge that multiple challenges faced by the African agriculture industry can be curbed by applying safer and responsible agricultural modern biotechnology.

And Technology and Vocation Training Minister Peter Daka urged COMESA Member states to take a holistic technological approach towards improving the agricultural sector.

Mr. Daka said the use of modern bio-safety technology is the surest way of providing the region with the safe transfer and handling of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) that may have adverse effects on the environment and human health.

He said Zambia has made strides in developing the national framework for bio safety, resulting in the establishment of the National Bio safety Authority (NBA) charged with the responsibility of shaping the bio safety regulations, guidelines and application procedures.

The Minister further called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders if the region is to benefit from bio technology in a sustainable way and in reducing the impact it might have on the farmers or trade.

Mr. Daka said this in a speech ready for him by his Deputy, Given Mun’gomba.

Biotechnology refers to the use of living organisms or their products to modify human health and the human environment.

COMESA has been trying to help member states in developing biosafety policies aimed at safe handling of bio technology to enhance agriculture production in the region.

This comes amid continued debate on the dangers of biotech with some countries in the region still reluctant to embrace biotechnolgy.

ACTESA is a specialised agency of COMESA to integrate small farmers into national, regional and international markets.