Burundi won't allow GMO products in its market despite EAC members' approval

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NAIROBI, Kenya - The Burundian government has said that they will not allow the importation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into the country despite Kenya leading the pack within the East African Community in opening up its markets for GMO products.

According to the country’s Director General of Mobilisation for Self-development and Agriculture extension Clement Ndikumasabo, “GMO is not allowed in Burundi, not even importing them; they are totally prohibited. It’s only the hybrids and even [for] the hybrids, you have to get authorization to import.”

Kenya became the first member state within the EAC to allow the importation of genetically modified maize to address the food crisis in the country.

The Burundian government’s sentiments have been supported by the EAC regional business community. John Bosco Kalisa the East African Business Council CEO.

With Burundian law prohibiting the importation of genetically modified products, experts have warned that a lack of proper equipment may see GMOs imported into the country.

“There is no sound justification for this as the region has the capacity and capabilities to produce non-GMO products. Our message is clear that we should encourage and promote organic products as opposed to GMOs,” he said.

According to Willy Irakoze, a research director at the Burundi Institute of Agronomic Science (ISABU), the lack of equipment capable of detecting the entrance of GMOs into the country is a major hindrance to the Burundian government.

“The GMO is not eligible in Burundi but what is worrying is that at the border or at the airport, we do not have equipment and personnel capable of detecting if it is the GMO that is entering or not. So, it is difficult to say that there are no GMOs in Burundi,” he said.

GAROWE ONLINE

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