Plenary has resumed today after a month in recess with Members of Parliament discussing, among other things, the National Biotechnology and Biosafety Bill, popularly known as the GMO bills which was tossed around by the last House.
During the last Parliament, the bill had faced a “long, hard and incremental effort” in bringing them to market with early adoption of GM crops is unlikely. The GMO Bill seeks to regulate the use and consumption of genetically modified foods.
Its return means that Parliament will decide whether they give the House committee time to have a fresh look at the bill or to go ahead and table the report which is ready.
Much of the opposition to the technology reflects fears that commercialisation of GM crops would result in a significant loss of trade with European countries, which largely prohibit sale of genetically modified crops. The bill also provides for a regulatory framework to facilitate safe development and application of biotechnology.
A new member of Parliament from Kigezi who preferred not be named because of the sensitive of the matter and the particular interest from the United States told TheUgandan, “We have to also fight this bill like the last Parliament. GMOs are going to destroy all our indegineous crops and we shall be made to rely on the imported seeds/seedlings increasing our food dependency on the USA hence “food insecurity.”
The idea that the crops undertesting, cassava, potatoes and maize, are not for export are signs that GMOs are no good for conscious citizens.”
“The solutions to our food problem are better governance, better farming methods and more research on our indigenous variaties.”
Research is being carried out on GM maize, cotton and cassava in Uganda.
Government is planning to invite scientists for a roundtable discussion to iron out the fears of the unknown, especially among those opposed to the technology.
By James Masaba
