FG Gives Stores 7 Days To Stop Sale Of GM Foods

October 17, 2016
FG Gives Stores 7 Days To Stop Sale Of GM Foods

expert meeting GMOs

By Ebitonye Akpodigha

Super stores operating in Nigeria have been given seven days by the Federal Government to withdraw all Genetically Modified (GM) products from their shelves or risk sanctions from the regulatory body.

Director General of the National Bio-safety Management Agency (NBMA), Mr Rufus Ebegba, during a meeting with representatives of super-stores operators in Abuja recently, said government will not fold its hands and allow a segment of the society infringe on the existing law in Nigeria.

According to Mr Ebegba, the warning became necessary because most of the super-stores get their supplies from countries that have long adopted the production and sales of GM foods.

“There is a law in place, we will not want any segment of the society out of ignorance to act in manners that will infringe on the existing law, the Act establishing the NBMA empowers ‎the agency to regulate the activities of modern biotechnology and the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs),” the DG said.

He noted that the idea that Nigerian laws are not enforced and implemented by government agencies should be completely ‎ruled out because the NBMA will not hesitate to shut down any super-store that contravenes the Act.

He therefore called on the operators to formalize their dealings by obtaining the necessary permits.

The meeting which is aimed at creating awareness amongst the operators on the Biosafety Regulations guiding the importation of GM products into the country also warns that the consequences of dealing with sales of GM products after the expiration of ‎the 7 days ultimatum would be very dire as the warning is not without legal backing.

Get background information on GMOs here:

Experts Advise Farmers On Benefits Of GMOs

FG Engages Experts On GMOs

Dipo Olowookere

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan.

Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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