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NIGERIA – Nigeria has adopted national guidelines on the regulation of genetically modified plants with a combination of two or more genes of interest in the genome of a single plant (stacked genes). The objective of these guidelines is to provide guidance and information on the risk assessment and risk management requirements and procedures for plants with Genetically Modified (GM)…
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U.S – Researchers through a Policy Forum article that was just published in Science is seeking a new method of regulating genetically engineered (GE) crops, claiming that the methods now used to start safety tests differ greatly between nations. Additionally, according to the researchers, the methodologies often lack scientific validity, particularly in light of how genetic engineering and conventional crop…
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GHANA – Ghana’s National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has ticked the import and use of genetically engineered (GE) Bt cowpea event 709A culminating a process which begun in 2008. The Authority had in March sought public opinion to enable them make an informed decision in the approval process. The GM crop is expected to help farmers dramatically reduce their use of…
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NIGERIA – Just after recently launching gene-editing regulations, Nigeria is once again taking a front line in embracing biotechnology in the African Continent by giving a go-ahead to the importation of Argentina-based Bioceres Crop Solutions’ proprietary drought-tolerant HB4 wheat variety. The permit issued by Nigeria’s National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) authorizes “the import of genetically modified wheat: IND-00412-7 for food,…
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TANZANIA – Groundnut growers in Mpwapwa District, Dodoma Region, have voiced contentment on Mangaka 2009 improved seeds variety developed by Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute-Naliendele (TARI Naliendele) to improve productivity. Speaking to journalists in the area, the farmers said the variety has high yield potential, drought and disease resilience, as well as early maturity compared to old varieties they rely on.…
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JAPAN – Japan has reviewed its food labelling regulations for foods with genetically modified components, and will enforce a national ‘non-GM’ labelling system update in 2023. Earlier in the year, the local Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA), published documentation announcing that nine major agricultural products are now subject to mandatory GM labelling-up from the previous eight, as are processed foods that…
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U.S – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has concluded its evaluation of the Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp proprietary drought-tolerant HB4 Wheat. Bioceres, a provider of crop productivity solutions, has revealed that upon review of all the safety and regulatory information submitted, the FDA has concluded that it has no further questions regarding the safety of HB4 Wheat, and…
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TANZANIA – The Tanzania Coffee Research Institute (TaCRI) has in a bid to bolster the cash crop’s production in the country, released new high yielding disease resistant coffee varieties for commercial production. The varieties include grade 4 Robusta Coffee, a high yielding large bean which is said to be resistant to Coffee Wilt Disease (CWD). Others are 19 Arabica hybrids…
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BRAZIL – National Technical Commission of Biosafety (CTNBio) has unanimously approved the commercial use of genetically modified (GM) corn for insect resistance, known as event EH913. The new technology, derived from a specific gene of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), has high efficacy against lepidoptera pests, especially fall armyworm which is considered the main pest of corn crop, and sugarcane…
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NIGERIA – Through the NextGen project, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has developed new cassava varieties to boost cassava production in the country. Compared to local varieties, the new varieties Baba 70 and Game Changer are higher yielding. While Game Changer can produce 32 tonnes per hectare, Baba 70 can produce 38 tonnes per hectare. The new cultivars…
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