Online Reporter
Sifelani Tsiko, [email protected]
Zimbabwe has moved a step closer to finalising the review of its Fifth National Report on The Implementation of The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety — a regulatory and institutional framework requirement of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety that seeks to protect biological diversity from the potential risks posed by living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology.
The National Biotechnology Authority (NBA), together with stakeholders drawn from Government ministries, departments and agencies, researchers, academia, industry stakeholders and civil society partners, met recently to validate the Fifth National Report on the Implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, which covers the period from 2019 to 2026.
NBA is the National Focal Point and National Competent Authority for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
The authority is responsible for the generation of national reports on the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, which Zimbabwe signed and ratified in 2005.
The country ratified the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity on May 26, 2005, following parliamentary approval in October 2004.
The Protocol governs the safe handling, transport, and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) to protect biodiversity, with the National Biotechnology Authority overseeing compliance in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe has adopted a battery of measures to integrate biosafety and biotechnology mechanisms to maintain a comprehensive national framework for the safe handling, transport, and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
National University of Science and Technology Pro-Vice Chancellor and project consultant Professor Zephaniah Dhlamini said biosafety was vital for Zimbabwe to help it manage risks associated with modern biotechnology, specifically the use and release of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
“While the technology has potential benefits, the technology has potential to harm biological diversity, health and the environment. We need to strengthen our policies and regulatory mechanisms to minimise these risks,” he said.
“This involves regulatory frameworks, policies and actions to protect biodiversity, the environment and human/animal health as covered under the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, which Zimbabwe ratified.”
Zimbabwe is party to the protocol and is required to monitor the implementation of its obligations under the protocol.
These implementation measures are to be reported in the form of a National Report, which is published on Zimbabwe’s portal on the Biosafety Clearing House.
Zimbabwe has taken a precautionary approach to modern biotechnologies, taking practical steps to enhance its biosafety and biosecurity mechanisms to protect human and animal health and the environment from the possible effects of products of biotechnology, while at the same time seizing opportunities that come with new technologies to improve livelihoods and spur the desired economic growth levels.
It established the National Biotechnology Authority to be the national competent authority for all biotechnology and biosafety matters in Zimbabwe.
Experts say contrary to popular belief, particularly in Zimbabwe, biotechnology is not synonymous with genetic modification, but rather it is a technology that encompasses a wide range of techniques that can be applied to agriculture, food, health and environment sectors.
Government has agreed to adopt the technology to boost the economy, but stated that adherence to biosafety measures remained important for sustainable development.
The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international agreement on biosafety, which seeks to protect biological diversity from the potential risks posed by living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology.
NBA chief executive and registrar Dr Tonny Savadye said it was important to strengthen the understanding of biotechnology issues so that people could fully understand the health, environmental and consumer protection regulations that exist in the country.
“Biosafety is of paramount importance when we carry out our biotechnology applications. As a signatory of the Cartagena Protocol, we must abide by that protocol. As the NBA, we take the handling of all biotechnology materials seriously and all the handling, transportation and approval is done by us,” he said.
Biotechnology is the use of living organisms to produce a product or service which is beneficial.
Zimbabwe has legislative instruments in place to allow the processing of applications for research up to the open quarantine or confined field trial level.
The country still maintains a ban on the commercial release of GM crops due to health and environmental safety concerns.
“Zimbabwe has not approved any GMO seed, but we do import GM feed and maize, which are milled at the port of entry, particularly when we have droughts,” said Prof Dhlamini.
However, in areas where adequate biosecurity measures have been taken, the country is moving to harness the benefits that come with biotechnology applications in key sectors that include agriculture, food, health and the environment.
NBA board chairperson Professor Idah Sithole-Niang said the Fifth National Report reflects Zimbabwe’s continued commitment to meeting its international biosafety obligations while strengthening national regulatory capacity.
“It highlights key milestones achieved in biosafety governance, institutional coordination, capacity development, public awareness, and regulatory decision-making processes,” she said.
“Importantly, this report is a product of collective effort. The National Biotechnology Authority firmly believes that strong institutions are built on inclusive participation, informed dialogue, and transparency.”
Stakeholders discussed and made various recommendations for inclusion in the 5th National report, as well as in the next major report.
Among other issues that needed enforcement and reporting were the labelling of Genetically Modified food and feed products, the need for LMO results from applicants for food, feed and seed import permits and the need to engage the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife for funds for biosafety-related activities from Zimbabwe’s GEF allocation.
The NBA was requested to liaise with the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife to conclude the accession process for the Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.
Stakeholders also proposed that the NBA must develop a National Biosafety Communication Strategy, a GMO Testing laboratory to complete certification processes and create a specific biosafety tab on the website, where information on biosafety will be posted.
Participants also discussed the need for risk assessment forms to be incorporated in a section where applicants declare their insurance, for cover in cases of redress.
There was a call for closer collaboration between the NBA and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority to enhance the identification and handling of LMOs at the country’s ports of entry and exit.
