Reps probe GMO crops, order committee to assess health, environmental risks

The House of Representatives has mandated its Committee on Agricultural Production and Services to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the introduction of genetically modified crops in Nigeria by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA).

It also mandated the committee to assess the potential health and environmental risks associated with genetically modified crops and report back within four weeks.

The Green Chamber also called on the federal government to suspend the introduction of new genetically modified crops until an investigation by its Committee on Agricultural Production and Services is completed and the findings are made public.

It also urged the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to cause the already introduced GM foods and crops in Nigeria to be properly labeled to safeguard consumers.

The decision  of the House was sequel to the adoption of a motion on the need to Investigate the introduction of genetically modified crops in Nigeria moved at the plenary on Thursday by Hon. Muktar Shagaya.

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Moving the motion, the lawmaker explained  that genetically modified crops, commonly referred to as GM Crops, are plants used for agricultural purposes whose DNA has been altered using genetic engineering methods.

He said the recent introduction of genetically modified crops in Nigeria has raised serious questions mostly about safety, regulatory oversight and the potential impact on the country’s biosafety and ecosystem.

Shagaya noted that genetically modified foods could be created to contain almost anything, including genes which have higher levels of toxicity and negative long-term effects on human health.

He stressed that introducing these crops have led to public outcries, with serious concerns expressed about the potential risks these GM crops might pose to human health, environmental degradation, and food security.

Shagaya added that the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) had been accused of approving the introduction of GM crops into Nigeria without following due process and scientific protocols.

He expressed worry that aGM crops are being introduced into Nigeria at a time when the said crops have been banned in several countries like France, Russia, Germany, China, India, and a host of other countries in Europe due to safety concerns;

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The lawmaker decried  that GMO crops’ long-term impact on human health remains uncertain, prompting precautionary measures due to potential health risks including cancer, antibiotic resistance, allergic reactions, and reproductive issues;

Shagaya expressed worry that the introduction of genetically modified crops could have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s food security, potentially transferring control to foreign biotechnology companies which are primarily driven by profit and cost reduction;

He said there was a need to prioritise public health, biodiversity, and traditional farming practices due to uncertainties surrounding the long-term impact of GMOs on health, environment, and food security.

The House urged, “The federal government to suspend the introduction of new genetically modified crops until an investigation by the Committee on Agricultural Production and Services is completed and the findings are made public;

“Mandate the Committee on Agricultural Production and Services to: conduct a comprehensive investigation into the introduction of genetically modified crops in Nigeria by the National’ Biosafety Management Agency.”