PROVIDE INFORMATION ON GMO, SABOI IMBOELA PRODS BIOSAFETY AUTHORITY

…the National Biosafety Authority is failing in its duty of ensuring that Zambians are not exposed to harmful GMOs

NATIONAL Democratic Congress (NDC) president, Saboi Imboela has accused the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) of allegedly failing in its duty of ensuring that Zambians are not exposed to harmful Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO).

Ms Imboela said the statement attributed to the NBA suggesting that mealie-meal produced from GMO maize was safe for consumption is meant to defend Government’s decision to import GMO mealie-meal into the country.

“First and foremost, it is very shocking to hear that there is this report now that the mealie-meal is safe because just three days ago, they told us that the mealie-meal was not safe because it has not yet been tested. So, have they done the testing already?”

“So if they have tested let them tell us the results because one other thing we saw from that mealie-meal is that it says four years and above and so the mealie-meal can only be consumed by people who are four years and above and they are selling it to the general populous,” Ms Imboela said.

She said it was disappointing that NBA was supporting Government’s decision to import mealie-meal produced from GMO maize, which could be harmful to consumers in the long-term.

Ms Imboela noted that the GMO mealie-meal could only be consumed by individuals aged four and above. “When people buy the mealie-meal, they cook porridge and nshima and all sorts of things so we are not getting a clear picture. Can we get a real and clear picture on the issue of the age of the people that can consume the mealie-meal and also when the tests were done and what the results are because these statements of them telling us that the mealie-meal is safe is in conflict with what we were told just a few days ago by the same institution so this is very shocking,” Ms Imboela said?

She said the NBA had the responsibility of ensuring that GMOs were tested and approved before allowing Zambians to consume the products.

Ms Imboela advised Government to reconsider its decision to import GMO mealie-meal.