regulationofgmocropsandfoodskenyacasestudy.docVIP

regulation Of GMO Crops and Foods: kenya case study By Patricia Kameri-Mbote Associate Professor of Law, Faculty of law, University of NairobiTable of contents I. introduction and summary 6 II. The Agriculture Sector and the potential role of GMOs in Kenya 7 Export Products and Markets 11 A. Risks and Benefits of GMO Crops/Foods in Kenya 12 1. Risks 12 2. Benefits 13 III. Key actors and social attitudes 14 A. Government GMO Regulatory and Management Authorities 15 1. National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) 15 2. The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) 15 3. Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) 16 4. The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) 16 5. National Council for Science and Technology (NCST) and National Biosafety Committee (NBC) 16 B. Institutions AND OTHERS Involved in Biotechnology R D 17 C. Players outside Government Technology Developers 18 1. NGOs 18 a) International NGOs 18 b) Local NGOs 18 2. Farmer Groups 19 a) Kenya Institute of Organic Farming (KIOF) 19 b) Kenya Federation of Agricultural Producers (KENFAP), Cereal Growers Association (CGA) and the Kenya Farmers Association 19 c) Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK) 19 3. Scientists’ Lobbies and Networks 20 a) Africa Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum 20 b) BIO-EARN 20 c) Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in East Central Africa 20 4. The Media 20 5. International Initiatives 21 a) African Agricultural Technology Foundation 21 b) Biosciences Eastern and Central Africa (BecA) 21 D. Key GMO Policy Disputes in Kenya 22 1. GMO or no GMO? 23 2. Access and property issues 24 3. Institutional home for biotechnology and biosafety policy 25 IV. Status of GMO Crop Research Development in Kenya 25 A. Target crops 26 1. Maize 26 a) The Insect Resistant Maize for Africa (IRMA) 27 2. Sweet Potato 28 3. Cotton 29 4. Cassava 29 V. National regulation of GMOs 30 A. Laws and Regulations 30 3. Proposed GMO Bill 32 4 Environmental Impact Assessment 3