AATF hosts second biosafety regulators retreat over Africa’s Agric development

The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) and the African Research Council (ARC) of South Africa hosted the Second Biosafety Regulators retreat with 57 delegates from 16 African countries in attendance.

The retreat, held in Pretoria, South Africa from 8-13 April 2024, was initiated by AATF’s Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) Project in 2023 to provide a space for mutual learning and engagement among regulators.

The OFAB Project Manager, Vitumbiko Chinoko, said that the retreat provides a platform for unbiased and open dialogue on biotechnology and biosafety regulation in Africa which is critical for biotechnology development in Africa.

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“This retreat serves as a crucial opportunity for regulators to exchange experiences and insights, ultimately enhancing biosafety management and regulation to support biotechnology research, development and commercialization in Africa,” he said.

Africa has recorded significant progress in biotechnology development with 11 countries having biosafety frameworks, up from 3 in 2003.

Recently Rwanda approved a biosafety law enabling biotechnology research and commercialization, and Nigeria approved three genetically modified crops, thereby positioning the country as a leader in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Vitumbiko further noted that continuous learning and collaboration are essential, stating that the retreat focuses on topical issues of interest to regulators such as labeling, litigation, crisis communication and public participation.

The 2024 retreat included capacity strengthening for upcoming policymakers and negotiators to United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) negotiations for eight countries of Madagascar, Angola, Namibia, DRC, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique.

Vitumbiko however, highlighted the importance of incorporating value-based messaging and simplifying biosafety concepts when communicating biosafety matters to generate trust and confidence of the people who are targeted end users of research outputs.

Dr. Kingstone Mashingaidze of ARC while speaking during the opening ceremony noted South Africa’s significant adoption of agricultural biotechnology, demonstrating its potential to enhance productivity.

‘‘South Africa stands out as the foremost adopter of agricultural biotechnology in Africa with over 85% of the maize produced being through genetic modification,’’ said Dr. Mashingaidze noting that utilization of agricultural biotechnology stands out as a top strategy towards combating persistent food shortages in Africa.

‘‘However, the slow uptake of biotechnology products primarily stems from insufficient awareness regarding the potential benefits of the crops,” said Dr Mashingaidze.

Also, Dr. Mathurin Rouamba, CEO of the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) of Burkina Faso, harped on the importance of stringent biosafety review processes to ensure safety in biotechnology practices.

For instance, according to him, the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, reinforces the need for the safe management and transfer of living-modified organisms, safeguarding biodiversity, and protecting human health.

According to the President of the Ethiopia Society of Biotechnology (ESoB) and Chairman of the National Variety Release Committee in Ethiopia, Professor Firew Mekbib, the spread of disinformation and misinformation by those opposed to biotechnology has put regulators in a difficult position. Prof Mekbib added that this situation will persist until scientific knowledge becomes more widespread and understandable.

Ms. Mutibo Chijikwa, Senior Biosafety Officer of the National Biosafety Authority of Zambia said that the regulators’ meeting is timely and significant for African regulators, especially those who share boarders, to learn about regulation provisions and how they are implemented in various countries, including sharing data and insights.

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