GMO Research Bill Rejected in Uganada

Bill that Seeks to Regulate Research & Development of Genetically- Modified Organisms Was Advised to BeWithdrawn

A source on the committee, which had initially recommended the enactment of the proposed law, told us that members recently made a U-turn and advised that the bill be withdrawn on grounds that the public is not comfortable with the law.

"Like it is stated in our report, as a committee we have found out that majority of the public is against the law. We cannot legislate against the aspirations and wishes of the public," said a source who is a member of the committee.

The committee's final resolutions were arrived at during the second stakeholders workshop held on August 12 in the Conference hall in the Office of the President. The resolutions capture views from academia, civil society, farmers and other interest groups.

According to a copy of the report which we have seen, the Uganda Youth Platform, one of the groups consulted, recommended that the GMO bill be withdrawn from Parliament and instead another bill that bans the importation and development of genetically- modified organisms, be enacted.

The Council of the Pharmaceuticals Society of Uganda advised that in case the bill is to be approved, a competent authority should be set up to regulate the use of genetically-modified organisms. The body said this authority should have sub-committees which would specifically look at biosafety issues in the broad areas of agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry, industry and environment, human and other animal health and safety.

The report will soon be forwarded to the speaker's office so that it is allocated a slot on the order paper. When contacted yesterday, Anthony Ssemmuli (Buwekula), the chairperson of the committee, declined to comment on the subject.

Source: AllAfrica

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