NBA SEEKS FASTER, HARMONISED GMO APPROVAL PROCESS TO BOOST FOOD SECURITY

The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) is seeking to streamline and harmonise the approval of genetically modified (GM) products in Kenya to accelerate the adoption of biotechnology as a tool for improving food security. Speaking in Nairobi during an engagement with principal investigators and Institutional Biosafety Committees, NBA Board Chairman David Wamatsi said the Authority would work with other government agencies to ensure regulatory approvals run concurrently and reduce delays in the commercialisation of approved biotechnology products. Wamatsi said lengthy regulatory processes and uncertainty after NBA approval have posed challenges to researchers and developers. He added that the Authority is also working on amendments to the Biosafety Act to address emerging technologies, including genome editing.