Nehemiah Ngetich, interim CEO of the NBA /HANDOUT

The National Biosafety Authority has issued new regulations for the importation and marketing of genetically modified animal feed.

These guidelines are particularly relevant for genetically modified products already authorized in other countries.

Nehemiah Ngetich, Acting Director General of the NBA, said regulations apply to these imports and decisions regarding importation will be made within 30 days if the application falls under Section 28 of the Law on Importation. biosecurity.

“For other cases, the process can take between 90 and 150 days. Applications must be submitted via the e-citizen platform,” he said.

In 2012, Kenya imposed a ban on the importation of GMOs through a Cabinet note due to concerns over their safety and environmental impact.

The ban was later lifted in 2022, allowing the importation of GMOs for animal feed and the cultivation of genetically modified crops, particularly Bt corn, aimed at addressing food security and pest resistance challenges.

According to the Biosafety Act, the importation and placing on the market of genetically modified products requires separate approvals.

Import registration costs Sh30,000 per year, with an additional Sh25,000 for the import permit.

Companies are also required to pay between Sh10,000 and Sh30,000 per year for GMO labeling, depending on their turnover.

Ngetich said the biosafety law requires written approval from the authority for the importation and placing on the market of genetically modified products.

Section 20 of the law specifies that no person may import a genetically modified organism without this approval.

Article 21 further prohibits the placing on the market of GMOs without the written approval of the authority.

He said procedures for applying for the importation of genetically modified products are outlined in two separate regulations: the Biosafety (Environmental Release) Regulations, 2011, which covers applications for placing on the market, and the Regulations on Biosecurity (Import, Export and Transit), 2011, which governs importation. applications.

“The applicant must complete and submit an online application for the marketing of GMOs and derived products at a cost of Sh850,000. The decision is made within 30 days. If approved, the marketing approval is valid for up to 10 years and exclusive to the applicant. In case of refusal, the applicant is informed of the reasons,” said Ngetich.

“Once marketing approval is granted, the applicant can then submit an application to import genetically modified animal feed for a fee of Sh25,000,” he added.

On the handling of genetically modified products in Kenya, Ngetich said the applicant must ensure that genetically modified products intended for importation are rendered non-viable through grinding or processing to prevent spread.

“This can take place either in the country of origin, at the port of entry, or other premises approved by the NBA, before being released to the market,” he said.

He added that millers and operators must implement internal quality controls to properly separate genetically modified and non-genetically modified products throughout the grinding and handling processes.

“Additionally, genetically modified products must be packaged and labeled in accordance with the Biosafety (Labeling) Regulations 2012 and NBA guidelines,” Ngetich said.