Bridges Trade BioRes • Volume 5 • Number 13 • 8th July 2005
Biosafety Regulations Necessary, ECOWAS Hears
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Following criticism from environmental groups after an Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) resolution last year called for greater research and investment in biotechnology, participants in this year’s ECOWAS Ministerial Conference on Biotechnology held in Bamoko, Mali, on 21-28 June recognised that biosafety regulations that safeguard human health and the environment need to go hand in hand with investments in biotechnology. Christine Churcher, Ghana’s Minister of Environment and Science, reminded the group that while facts suggested that biotechnology was based on “good science” and had the potential to enhance food security on the continent, socio-economic, cultural and environmental factors needed to play a role in decisions to adopt or reject genetically modified (GM) crops. At the end of the meeting, ministers adopted a resolution asking ECOWAS member countries to prepare their national biosafety frameworks by 1 July 2006 so as to facilitate the harmonisation of the region’s biosafety framework by 2008. They also agreed to raise public awareness about biotechnology, create a regional biotechnology center of excellence and to organise a second ministerial meeting on biosafety systems. The ECOWAS Secretariat was tasked with the preparation and implementation of a regional plan on access to and benefit-sharing of biotechnology. Other recommendations were made to increase agricultural research to ten percent of national budgets and give funding priority to scientists so that they can develop biotech tools appropriate for small-scale farmers. In addition, Nigerian Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Bamidele Dada stressed the vital need for the management and dissemination of information on biotechnology, a concern that was partially addressed by a two-day intensive training session held prior to the conference for journalists from the region to learn more about biotech issues.
“Churcher Urges ECOWAS Ministers,” ACCRA DAILY MAIL, 28 June 2005; “Ecowas Urged to Support Biotechnology,” CONCORD TIMES, 24 June 2005; “ECOWAS biotechnology conference in Bamako,” GHANA HOME PAGE, 27 June 2005; “Adopt Agri-Biotech, Ecowas Urged,” ISAAA, 24 June 2005; “African Group Urges Ecowas to Reject Crops,” THIS DAY, 25 June 2005; ” Biosafety: a West African Regional Approach,” ALL AFRICA, 6 July 2005
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