Illegal GM imports into Kenya

watch.eu/

NOTE: This could be a clear case of an intentional and illegal transboundary movement of GMOs, given that the Kenyan govt appears to have failed to comply with article 11 of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety - the international agreement regulating the movement between countries of GMOs - when read together with the annex II.

It looks like the Kenyan biosafety law was not applied, in as much as no risk assessments were conducted for any of these GM events as would have been required in order for the export permits to be granted. Indeed, we understand that the Kenyan biosafety law is not even in effect yet. As noted below, it's particularly unforgivable that this illegal importing of GM grains should have happened at a time of surplus in Kenya.

EXTRACT: The import of GM maize even when the country has sufficient supplies of its own is a strategy for mulitinational dominance. This has been used in Haiti, Mexico, India and Thailand to drive farmers out of business.
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CALL TO RESPOND AND UNCOVER THE APPROVAL FOR IMPORTATION OF 40,000 METRIC TONNES OF GMO MAIZE FROM SOUTH AFRICA
Kenya Biodiversity Coalition (KBioC), March 23 2010

PRESS STATEMENT

Background of the Coalition

Kenya Biodiversity Coalition (KBioC) is a Coalition of 63 farmer organizations, animal welfare networks, consumer networks, faith based organizations, civil society organisation networks, traders and private Kenyan individual citizens whose main objective is to ensure public is AWARE and ALERT on issues of concern on the environment, agriculture and biodiversity.

Context of the press release

2009 was challenging to almost everyone in Kenya, and was characterized by drought and food insecurity among communities. The situation was worsened by a continuous inflation that led to a general increase in commodity prices. At the peak of food insecurity, the government opened a window to allow importation of duty free maize into the country. By so doing it was expected that the prices of maize flour would reduce to a level affordable to Kenyans. However, the prices of maize and its products continued to increase and have remained high until now. Fortunately, by the end of 2009, the meteorological forecasts were pointing to a forthcoming Elnino season which finally came and has led to a bumper harvest in most parts of Kenya.

In spite of the great harvest by farmers, we are concerned about the slow speed of the government in taking action to ensure that farmers have proper storage facilities and disposal of the staple grain so as to prevent wastage or farmers selling their grain at throw away prices.

The importation of 40,000MT GMO maize in January 2010

It has come to our knowledge, that in January 2010, an international grain handling company in Kenya by the name Louis Dreyfus Ltd spent billions to import a consignment of 40,000 MT ( 500,000 90Kg bags) GMO maize from South Africa., From information recieved through our network and friends in particular African Centre for Biosafety (ACB) and Agriculture, forestry and fisheries Department website in South Africa we have confirmed that export permit was given to the above Company. We understand that this consignment is lying at the Port of Mombasa. (See attached import approvals from South African Government). The consignment contains Living Modified Organisms (GMOs) varieties BT11, MON810, NK603, MON810 x, NK603.

Concerns;

1. Why was the consignment imported during a maize glut in Kenya

It seems paradoxical that the Government would allow and extend importation of GMO maize at a time when our farmers have a bumper harvest..

2. Strategy to contaminate our staple food with GMOs

The import of GE maize even when the country has sufficient supplies of its own is a strategy for mulitinational dominance. This has been used in Haiti, Mexico, India and Thailand to drive farmers out of business.

3. Health Concern

BT11, NK603, MON810 x, NK603. are not allowed in the EU markets because of safety concerns on animal, human health and environment. Why are we allowing them in Kenya?

cont.