Bill prohibiting GMOs in offing

KAMPALA-A section of Members of Parliament is planning to introduce a bill prohibiting Genetically Modified Organisms [ GMOs ] in Uganda.

Led by Bufumbira County East MP, James Nsaba Buturo, the legislators announced the plan during a press conference in Parliament late last week.

The move comes against the backdrop of the recent enactment of the GMO law in neighbouring Kenya, legalising introduction of GMOs in that country.

Some scientists define GMOs as crops developed using precise plant breeding to achieve benefits such as resistance to certain insects and diseases, herbicide tolerance, enhanced nutritional value, and reduced food waste.

However, Buturo said that Ugandans need to reject any plans to introduce GMOs in the country, saying that the scientifically developed crops pose health risks as well as a danger to the environment.

“We will be making a very strong case in Parliament when the time comes. We know it is going to be a big fight. Those people will use a lot of money but we believe that with God on our side, we shall defeat them, “he said.

Nsaba Buturo added that the Bill will further provide for the phasing out of the already existing GMOs in the country.

“GMOs are a disaster. Eminent scientists have said there are no benefits of GMOs. 50 African countries out of 54 have said no to GMOs. So, those who are rushing us to accept them have their agenda,” Buturo said.

He accused the proponents of GMOs of using GMOs to control food production in Uganda.

“The threat faced by Uganda is worse than colonisation. Ugandans must wake up. The enemy is determined to completely encircle us, make us dependent, make us foolish before human race and we are saying no,” he said.

In 2017 and 2021, President Yoweri Museveni declined to sign into law the National Biotechnology and Biosafety Bill, 2012.

The bill seeks to provide a regulatory framework that facilitates the safe development and application of biotechnology, research, development, and release of genetically modified organisms.

“The President also said that we need to be cautious, act wisely and not foolishly. Introducing GMO seeds in the country have devastating consequences that very few know about. Scientists have bought the lie that GMOs are good,” Nsaba Buturo said.

West Budama County South MP, Dr Emmanuel Otaala said more research was needed on GMOs, before they can be introduced in the country.

“If the whole of Europe does not allow GMOs, why should we Africans, who do not have better regulation mechanisms be the first to accept GMO crops?” Asked  Otaala, also the Chairperson of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.

Otaala attributed the increase of Non-Communicable Diseases to increased consumption of GMOs.

“GMOs are dangerous to biodiversity and they have the ability to contaminate our organic food,” said Otaala.

Amudat district Woman MP, Betty Chelain, urged Africans to uphold organic crops, saying that GMOs alter the soil and environment.

“When I was studying medicine, there were some diseases only in books but not in Africa. Introduction of GMOs means they want to introduce such diseases to Africa,” she added.

Those who support GMOs say;  they improve production and raise farmer’s income, reduce the use of pesticide and insecticide during farming that might be great moves for the betterment of the food supply, can feed a rapidly increasing population because it shows dramatically increased yields and can produce more in small area of land.

Those against GMOs say; the production imposes high risks to the disruption of ecosystem and biodiversity because the “better” traits produced from engineering genes can result in the favouring of one organism. Hence, it can eventually disrupt the natural process of gene flow.

They further argue that GMOs increase the cost of cultivation and more inclined towards marketisation of farming that work on immoral profits.

“The transgenic crops endanger not only farmers but also the trade, and the environment as well. It is biologically altered, hence, biotech foods may pose a human health risk,” they add.

The excessive production of genetically modified foods will be rendered ineffective over time because the pests that these toxins used to deter might eventually develop resistance towards them, they say.

https://thecooperator.news/naro-musevenis-directive-on-massive-food-production-bearing-fruit/

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