The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has disclosed its readiness to put measures in place to address the issue of the importation of illegal genetically modified products into the country in order to ensure proper regulation of biotechnology and its products so that they don’t cause harm to human health or the environment.
The Director General of the Agency, Dr. Agnes Yemisi Asagbra, made this known in Abuja at a media briefing on the agency’s activities and progress, stating his commitment to work hand-in-hand with other partners in providing support and guidance to ensure the importation is aligned with the highest standards of biosafety.
Asagbra noted that in a world driven by innovation and progress, development has become an integral part of the global food supply chain, adding that despite the great potential that modern biotechnology offers, numerous biosafety concerns have been raised, such as safety in the areas of gene flow, toxicity, and social-economic concerns.
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According to her, it is the collective responsibility of the agency to ensure that the advancements are harnessed safely and responsibly, explaining that biosafety is not merely a regulatory hurdle but to address global challenges such as food security, crop resilience, etc.
“As we navigate the complex landscape of biotechnology, let us remember that our decisions today shape the future of agriculture, health, and the environment. We’ll not only fulfill our regulatory obligations but also contribute to a sustainable and resilient future.” Asagbra said
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She, therefore, warned offenders and those who go against the rules and guidelines that they will not go unpunished, saying, “We will not hesitate to wield the big stick of penalties against any establishment that contravenes the provisions of the law.”
