The conversation on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) crops, seems to spur disparity as some government agencies have debated that the crop is not healthy for consumption.
Bushlink had earlier reported that GMO crops are tolerant to herbicides help farmers control weeds without damaging the crops. When farmers use these herbicide-tolerant crops they do not need to till the soil, which they normally do to get rid of weeds.
Earlier the Director General National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Mojisola Adeyeye on June 29, while appearing on Arise TV expressed her dissatisfaction with the crop noting that it is unsafe for consumption due to insufficient research and data at their disposal.
She said, “In terms of GMOs, we do not think it is safe. We don’t think it is safe for our consumption (that is the position of NAFDAC). Exactly! First, a lot of research has not been done in terms of the safety of GMO products and the genetics of the seeds have been modified. Until we get very convincing data to show the safety for human consumption,”
Reacting to the regulatory body, the Director General of the Nigeria Biotechnology Management Agency (NBMA), Agnes Asagbra, said NAFDAC’s view was a discredit to the agency’s integrity.
Asagbra said, “The views you expressed appear to discredit the hard work and integrity of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) and its several renowned stakeholders and experts for which your Agency is one.” The dissenting comment was contained in a letter dated July 2, 2024. And it reads:
“It is completely misleading for the Director General of NAFDAC to categorically state on National Television that GMOs are not safe, having admitted that her Agency has not carried out research, does not have the competency and of course, does not have the mandate to carry out any study to determine GMOs’ safety.
“At NBMA, we strongly uphold and cherish inter-agency collaborations for effective biosafety management in Nigeria,
“NBMA values this collaborative relationship with NAFDAC and other relevant regulatory agencies and stakeholders and has strived to maintain a partnership based on mutual respect and shared goals”.
Speaking on the uproar to be emanated following the NAFDAC DG’s comment, Asagbra said “It is indisputable that the public’s perception of the Agency and that of the Federal government of Nigeria’s position has been severely discredited by this falsehood from a purported sibling agency, intentionally or unintentionally casting aspersion on its credibility and effectiveness.
“To put it mildly, NBMA is worried about the possible effects this might have on the trust of the stakeholders we work with. Based on the foregoing, I earnestly call on the DG of NAFDAC to as a matter of urgency admit and recant this glaring gap in knowledge and position of the Federal Government of Nigeria in the regulation of the practices of modern biotechnology and handling of GMO-related matters by NBMA in collaboration with other relevant Agencies in Nigeria.”