biotechnology & biosafety status in swaziland...general information on biosafety regulation...

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOSAFETY

STATUS IN SWAZILAND

Bongani Nkhabindze Cebisile N. Magagula

Swaziland Environment Authority Department of Biological Sciences

Mbabane University of Swaziland, Kwaluseni

>> Registrar (Biosafety ) >> Academic and Research

- biotechnology,

- biosafety,

- GMOs,

- level of awareness

- problems

- the best /recommended approach to raising

awareness .

General information on Biosafety regulation

Swaziland acceded to the CPB on the 13thof January

2006

As a Party to the protocol, the country has an obligation

to domesticate the treaty

In 2005 Swaziland developed a Biotechnology and

Biosafety Policy

In 2009, had Biosafety Bill: to ensure an adequate level

of protection in the field of the safe transfer, handling

and use of GMOs

Biosafety Bill finally passed into Biosafety Act of 2012

Institutional arrangement for the regulation of biotechnology in SD

Biosafety Appeals

Board

Minister responsible for

Environment

SEA Board

National Biosafety

Advisory Committee

Socio-economic

review

subcommittee

Scientific review

subcommittee

Office of the Biosafety Registrar

checking for completeness and

acknowledgement

Public informed and

gathering of input from

public

Submission of application

by applicant

Biosafety Public

Awareness &

Participation

Platform

Biosafety regulation (cont.)

All applications are handled by the Swaziland Environment Authority (Biosafety Focal Point)

The Act identifies three uses for which GMOs can be applied for:

i. contained use,

ii. intentional release to the environment

iii. import as food, feed and processing

The application/notification should be supported by proof that risk assessments have been undertaken (RA guidelines provided)

No RAs have been undertaken in the country > new legislation & expertise

Current status: GMO and proposed

objective for its introduction

Prior to Act: 2 applications for the introduction of Bt cotton and maize and round-up ready soya beans and maize to the environment

Not processed b’cos:

- no biosafety legislation

- applicants’ failure to comply with Annex 1 of CPB protocol

Currently: 1 application from the SD Cotton Board for national trials > under review by NBAC

Current status: LMO-FFPs

Authorised importation of GM maize intended for

food, feed or processing

Specific events > list available from SEA

Mandatory procedures, including

communication by the importer,

transportation (sealed containers),

destruction of embryo (milling, heating)

Public Awareness and Participation in

Biotechnology & Biosafety issues

WHO IS RAEIN-Africa?

Regional Agricultural and Environmental Innovations Network -

Africa

> facilitating access by communities to user-friendly

emerging technologies

> development of policies or mechanisms that facilitate

access and guarantees safe and sustainable use of such

technologies

Regional partners in 12 SADC countries

Public Awareness & Participation Platform

on biosafety (PAPP)

GOAL

promote public understanding of modern biotechnology and

biosafety

Emphasis on innovative and participatory approach

Workshops and seminars

Excursion and field demonstrations

Debate

Case studies

Media articles and interviews

Citizen jury

Level of awareness

Region Attribute tested

Biotechnology

(%)

Biosafety (%) GMOs (%) Average (%)

Hhohho 48 14 26 29.3

Lubombo 18 0 56 24.7

Manzini 51 42 51 48.0

Shiselweni 18 14 21 17.7

Baseline survey - 2011

Problems

Misperceptions

Technical & Polarising subject

Language / translation to siSwati

Funding – Baseline studies, public awareness, etc.

Best /Recommended approach to

raising awareness

Grass roots / Regional level

Mainstreaming into various structures

Govt procedures

Education curricula at various levels

Stakeholders’ networking / cooperation (within &

between countries)

m

Media workshop

Journalists from various media houses > print &

electronic

Media tour

No GM cotton in SD – tour in SA (Mpumalanga province)

Interactn with farmers

growing GM cotton

Public debate – UNISWA Green team Deputy Prime Minister

VC

Panelists

Students

Citizens’ jury

Panel of Jurists

Expert witnesses

Public input

Interactive workshops: various stakeholders

• Extension officers

• Food consortium

• Border personnel – MOA, USDF,

RSP, SRA, etc.

• Training of trainers

• MORE NEEDED!!!

Outreach material

100 Posters

300 Brochures

+ TRAINING MANUAL FOR TRAINERS