THE National Biosafety Authority of Kenya approved the applications for National Performance Trials (NPTs) of biotech corn and cotton, which will commence in October 2017.
This was announced by NBA managing director, Willy Tonui, after a meeting with stakeholders, including Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research Organisation (KALRO) and African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) who previously received permits for field trials but were stopped by Health Secretary Dr Cleopa Mailu.
“Just recently, we had a discussion with Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and I now want to confirm that we have the guidelines required for the release of biotech maize for field trials and there is no reason why NPTs should not start soon,” said Dr Tonui.
He also mentioned that they had already reached an agreement on biotech cotton and that it would be rolled out in the next planting season.
