NBMA Refutes Farmers President’s Claim On GMO Crops Approval Without NAFDAC, Others Input

The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has refuted the claim made by the All Farmers Association of Nigeria‘s President, Kabir Ibrahim, who stated that the agency is the only body of government that makes decisions on approving any Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) seeds.

NAFDAC does not have a mandate on GMO, but NBMA,” he said during the interview.

This was disclosed in a press release on Thursday, hours after Ibrahim stated that NAFDAC is not mandated to approve GMO-related seeds or crops.

The agency does not single-handedly take decisions on the approval of ANY Genetically Modified Organisms, food or feed,” NBMA said.

It further added that the agency works closely with agencies such as the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration Control (NAFDAC), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA).

However, NBMA has noted that it is committed to safeguarding human health, animal health, plant life, and biodiversity.

We fully fulfil our mandate with integrity and with no compromises.”

Contrary to the stance of commitment the NBMA has maintained, it has also violated a Freedom of Information request, which sought after the provision of the risk assessment conducted to ascertain GMO-related seeds, such as the government-approved TELA Maise, are safe for human consumption.

Also Read: Farmers Can Advise On Food Safety, But Not On GMO Crops – Farmers Association President KabirIbrahim

Despite Nigeria’s Growing Concerns, NBRDA Director Claims GMOs Are Edible Vaccines

We Do Not Have Evidence To Prove GMOs Are Safe For Human Consumption – NAFDAC

About The Author

Mayowa Durosinmi

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Mayowa Durosinmi is a Nigerian investigative reporter for West Africa Weekly with reports focusing on politics, human rights, security and health in West Africa and the Sahel region.

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