Zambia has adopted four new regulatory guidelines governing genetically modified (GM) commodities and crop trials, in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s biosafety framework while supporting agricultural innovation and regional trade.
The guidelines, developed by the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) through a consultative process involving government agencies, scientists, researchers and industry stakeholders, establish national standards for the assessment, importation and testing of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) intended for food, feed and processing, as well as confined field trials.
The documents were validated during a stakeholder meeting in Lusaka attended by regulators, public health experts, seed authorities, veterinary specialists, customs officials and researchers.
The NBA said the guidelines provide a transparent, science-based framework for evaluating biotechnology products, clarifying institutional responsibilities, standardising regulatory procedures and improving coordination among agencies responsible for biosafety oversight.
The Food, Feed and Processing (FFP) guidelines set out procedures for assessing biotechnology-derived commodities intended for human and animal consumption, while separate import guidelines establish harmonised requirements for inspection, documentation, sampling and verification of GM commodities entering the country.
The Confined Field Trial (CFT) guidelines outline containment, monitoring and compliance requirements for researchers testing genetically modified crop varieties under controlled conditions before any further regulatory consideration.
Officials said the new framework is expected to improve regulatory efficiency while maintaining safeguards for human health, animal health and the environment.
The validation comes as several African countries expand biotechnology regulation to support agricultural productivity and climate resilience. Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Malawi and South Africa have established legislative and regulatory systems governing the safe use and movement of genetically modified products.
The NBA said predictable and science-based biosafety regulations could strengthen investor confidence, encourage research partnerships, facilitate technology transfer and support regional trade in agricultural commodities in line with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.
Researchers are expected to benefit from clearer regulatory pathways for evaluating improved crop varieties designed to withstand drought, pests and diseases, while traders and importers are expected to gain greater certainty when handling biotechnology-derived commodities.
Stakeholders also approved the NBA’s revised communications strategy, which is intended to improve public engagement, risk communication and awareness of biosafety issues through timely and evidence-based information.
The authority said the adoption of the guidelines marks an important step in Zambia’s efforts to modernise its biosafety system by balancing scientific innovation with environmental and public health protection.
Discover more from Newsroom Kenya
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
