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President William Ruto has allowed the free cultivation of all genetically modified foods in Kenya.
The President Ruto chaired a Cabinet meeting at State House, Nairobi, where the decision was reached, on Monday.
The meeting was convened to consider the progress made in the national response to the ongoing drought situation that has affected 23 counties, a statement from State House said.
“In accordance with the recommendation of the Task Force to Review Matters Relating to Genetically Modified Foods and Food Safety, and in fidelity with the guidelines of the National Biosafety Authority on all applicable international treaties including the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB),” the Statement read.
It continued: “Cabinet vacated its earlier decision of 8th November, 2012 prohibiting the open cultivation of genetically modified crops and the importation of food crops and animal feeds produced through biotechnology innovations; effectively lifting the ban on Genetically Modified Crops. By dint of the executive action open cultivation and importation of White (GMO) Maize is now authorized.”
Today’s decision follows an earlier Cabinet decision made on 19th December, 2019 regarding the commercialization of Bacillus Thuringiensis (BT) Cotton Hybrids in Kenya, which is a genetically enhanced variety of cotton that is resistant against African Bollworm, the most destructive and pervasive pest in cotton framing.
That earlier approval by Cabinet sought to revamp production of textiles, apparel, feed, and oil-industries towards the realization of the industrialization; and today’s Cabinet decision builds on it and also extends its benefits to other agricultural and manufacturing sectors.
The decision is expected to be fought by organic foods lobbies.
GM food crops were banned in Kenya in 2012 after a study showed rodents fed on GM crops developed breast tumours, earlier in life, than rats fed a non-GM diet.