The Ethiopian government is inching towards opening its market to more GMO imports, particularly Bt cotton, which could jumpstart the country’s manufacturing sector.
Parliament tabled a Biosafety Proclamation amendment, passed in 2009 with the backing of anti-GMO advocates, that made it almost impossible to import GMOs. It required an applicant to obtain written consent from the country of origin. Biotech researchers and manufacturers have been pushing for a liberalization of the law.
“Some provisions contained in the existing law were an obstacle to undertake works in bio-technology and do not meet the current developmental needs of the country,” states a document attached to the draft amendment.
Share this article
The Ethiopian textile sector also strongly backs the measure. It’s hoped that the import of genetically modified cotton, which is being grown in India, will help alleviate shortages of raw material that has plagued the textile sector.
Local activists believe the provision might open the door to other GE crops, which they believe are harmful. “We have no issues with modern bio-technology but it is very dangerous to use modern bio-technology as a cover to promote genetic engineering,” said one opponent. Despite the well documented risks associated with GMOs the draft amendment is proposing to render inapplicable the existing law enacted with the aim of averting the dangers associated, he added.
