Gabon
Country introduction:
Law No. 23/2008 of 10 December 2008
The Sustainable Agricultural Development Policy
Article 42 -The placing on the market and use plants, seeds, pesticides for agricultural use and similar products, fertilizers and growing media, composed wholly or partly of genetically modified organisms, abbreviated GMOs, I release into the environment, are subject the authorization of the Minister of Agriculture and I are the subject of control and inspection by competent of plant protection services. Article 43- The monitoring of products referred to the Article 42 above is to identify and track the potential occurrence of unintended effects on the environment and agricultural and natural ecosystems, including effects on pest populations, fauna and flora, the aquatic and soil, as well as microbial populations, including viruses. Article 44 - In order to better biological monitoring of the national territory, it is I set up under the authority of the ministers for I agricultural and environmental bio monitoring a committee to advice on the monitoring protocols of I 'potential occurrence of adverse events. The committee is chaired by a person chosen because of its scientific and technological expertise includes other members
Following: - Four experts in science, - A deputy, - A senator, - Two representatives of I protection associations' recognized environmental - Two representatives of consumer associations, - Two representatives of trade associations concerned.
In Gabon, the legislative activity and national conservation policies have, over time, diversified to cover the areas of environment, forestry, agriculture, pest, fisheries and aquaculture and the impact of trade on human health to name a few areas. (Provide agricultural texts).
Environmental code
The environmental benefits from the implementation of Law No. 16/93 of 26 August 1993 on the protection and improvement of the environment called Code environment. This law contains general provisions that extensive use can help address if only partially, the issue of GMOs. In fact, the law including Article 23 allows the Minister of the Environment to prohibit or submit to a pre-approval process "... activities that may affect the fauna and flora or lead the destruction of their natural habitat ... ". It also allows us to understand "the introduction of animal and exotic plant species ... likely to prejudice the local animal and plant species ..." under section 26 of the Act in respect of that provision.
Forest Code
The forest sector is mainly governed by Law No. 16/2001 on the Code forest. The law also contains some provisions that may be closer regulation of GMOs. For example, Articles 22 and 45 refer to "... the natural or artificial regeneration ..." but nevertheless prohibit any use of GMOs for the purpose of regeneration by the guiding principles of ATO-ITTO sustainable management of forests in Africa. Article 84 is more relevant. It prohibits the introduction of seeds, seedlings, grafts, cuttings and plants in national parks without permission.
Phytosanitary Police Act
The 7/77 Act of 15 December 1977 establishing a phytosanitary police Republic Gabonese attributed to such a service competence to "carry or cause to quarantine, disinfection, refoulement plants, products and / or parts of plants, seeds, land ... and packaging for transport ". The text does not specify the reasons for these actions, we could interpret whether a discretionary power of the police when the latter considers it necessary to do so. Phytosanitary policy could therefore estimate concerning GMOs or products derived from GMOs, which are products whose conditions of use poses some risks, even strangers, still possible.
Code of fisheries and aquaculture
Law No. 15/2005 of 8 August 2005 enacting the Code of fisheries and aquaculture also contains provisions that could overlap regulation on GMOs. Section 17 of the Act provides an opportunity for the administration to assess the effects induced by aquaculture activities on genetic species and ecosystem integrity. Article 49 provides for the protection of species and aquatic ecosystems by controlling activities that may affect the interests of fisheries and aquaculture, the creation of ex-situ conservation areas and the creation of protected areas. Article 76 gives authority enforcement officers to take samples on fishery products for analysis and to examine the production of any facility handling of fishery products.
Trade and Health The trade legislation is abundant but none of the existing texts is unique to GMOs. However, the trade sector on public health of the Republic of Gabon might have to be applied to them through a part of the 1445 Decree of 28 November 1995, governing the import, distribution and promotion of products pharmaceutical and the other of the Decree 00247 of 12 March 1996 on the import, distribution and use of plant protection products in Gabon whose implementation could lend itself to the establishment and implementation of prior authorization procedures.
The Sustainable Agricultural Development Policy
Article 42 -The placing on the market and use plants, seeds, pesticides for agricultural use and similar products, fertilizers and growing media, composed wholly or partly of genetically modified organisms, abbreviated GMOs, I release into the environment, are subject the authorization of the Minister of Agriculture and I are the subject of control and inspection by competent of plant protection services. Article 43- The monitoring of products referred to the Article 42 above is to identify and track the potential occurrence of unintended effects on the environment and agricultural and natural ecosystems, including effects on pest populations, fauna and flora, the aquatic and soil, as well as microbial populations, including viruses. Article 44 - In order to better biological monitoring of the national territory, it is I set up under the authority of the ministers for I agricultural and environmental bio monitoring a committee to advice on the monitoring protocols of I 'potential occurrence of adverse events. The committee is chaired by a person chosen because of its scientific and technological expertise includes other members
Following: - Four experts in science, - A deputy, - A senator, - Two representatives of I protection associations' recognized environmental - Two representatives of consumer associations, - Two representatives of trade associations concerned.
In Gabon, the legislative activity and national conservation policies have, over time, diversified to cover the areas of environment, forestry, agriculture, pest, fisheries and aquaculture and the impact of trade on human health to name a few areas. (Provide agricultural texts).
Environmental code
The environmental benefits from the implementation of Law No. 16/93 of 26 August 1993 on the protection and improvement of the environment called Code environment. This law contains general provisions that extensive use can help address if only partially, the issue of GMOs. In fact, the law including Article 23 allows the Minister of the Environment to prohibit or submit to a pre-approval process "... activities that may affect the fauna and flora or lead the destruction of their natural habitat ... ". It also allows us to understand "the introduction of animal and exotic plant species ... likely to prejudice the local animal and plant species ..." under section 26 of the Act in respect of that provision.
Forest Code
The forest sector is mainly governed by Law No. 16/2001 on the Code forest. The law also contains some provisions that may be closer regulation of GMOs. For example, Articles 22 and 45 refer to "... the natural or artificial regeneration ..." but nevertheless prohibit any use of GMOs for the purpose of regeneration by the guiding principles of ATO-ITTO sustainable management of forests in Africa. Article 84 is more relevant. It prohibits the introduction of seeds, seedlings, grafts, cuttings and plants in national parks without permission.
Phytosanitary Police Act
The 7/77 Act of 15 December 1977 establishing a phytosanitary police Republic Gabonese attributed to such a service competence to "carry or cause to quarantine, disinfection, refoulement plants, products and / or parts of plants, seeds, land ... and packaging for transport ". The text does not specify the reasons for these actions, we could interpret whether a discretionary power of the police when the latter considers it necessary to do so. Phytosanitary policy could therefore estimate concerning GMOs or products derived from GMOs, which are products whose conditions of use poses some risks, even strangers, still possible.
Code of fisheries and aquaculture
Law No. 15/2005 of 8 August 2005 enacting the Code of fisheries and aquaculture also contains provisions that could overlap regulation on GMOs. Section 17 of the Act provides an opportunity for the administration to assess the effects induced by aquaculture activities on genetic species and ecosystem integrity. Article 49 provides for the protection of species and aquatic ecosystems by controlling activities that may affect the interests of fisheries and aquaculture, the creation of ex-situ conservation areas and the creation of protected areas. Article 76 gives authority enforcement officers to take samples on fishery products for analysis and to examine the production of any facility handling of fishery products.
Trade and Health The trade legislation is abundant but none of the existing texts is unique to GMOs. However, the trade sector on public health of the Republic of Gabon might have to be applied to them through a part of the 1445 Decree of 28 November 1995, governing the import, distribution and promotion of products pharmaceutical and the other of the Decree 00247 of 12 March 1996 on the import, distribution and use of plant protection products in Gabon whose implementation could lend itself to the establishment and implementation of prior authorization procedures.
Regulatory framework:
My country does not have a regulatory framework that requires the competent authority to conduct safety assessment of GM food.
Structure for GM food safety assessment:
My country does not have a structure for GM food safety assessment.
Supplemental information (regulatory framework):
Currently in Gabon, We are on a National Project called: « la Gabonaise des réalisations agricoles et des initiatives des gabonais engagés (Graine) ».
This project aims to enhance traditional knowledge of agriculture and support small producers to improve their production levels in order to reduce food dependency in our country.
This project prohibits the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), as the 2008 law on agricultural production reminders.
Therefore, we do not perform GMO assessments for the reasons given above. Anyway, the discussions exist to take the decision makers of our country, Gabon, to understand the importance of GMOs.
This project aims to enhance traditional knowledge of agriculture and support small producers to improve their production levels in order to reduce food dependency in our country.
This project prohibits the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), as the 2008 law on agricultural production reminders.
Therefore, we do not perform GMO assessments for the reasons given above. Anyway, the discussions exist to take the decision makers of our country, Gabon, to understand the importance of GMOs.
Relevant contact details:
Agence Gabonaise pour la Sécurité Alimentaire (AGASA) BP 2735, phone:011772270
GM food safety assessment guidelines:
My country does not conduct safety assessment of GM food but the country has, or the country is in the process of developing national/regional guidelines that are not in line with the Codex Guidelines in conducting safety assessment of GM food.
Conduct of GM food safety assessment:
My country does not regularly conduct food safety assessment of GM food, but has conducted at least once in the past.
Supplemental information (assessment):
Cassava varieties with putative resistance to mosaic virus were tested in different agro-ecological zones of Gabon. The results showed that these varieties do not present symptoms of mosaic virus at the end of the experiment.
Regulation stacked events:
Stacked events require full assessment as a new GM event.
Supplemental information (stacked events):
GM food/feed production:
My country produces GM food or feed for commercial and research purposes.
GM food/feed imports:
My country does not import any GM food or feed (banned).
Supplemental information (production and trade):
Cassava is a staple food for the populations of Gabon, however the main local varieties are susceptible to the mosaic virus, which causes enormous losses. The study carried out made it possible to assess the adaptability of introduced varieties from IITA potentially resistant to mosaic in different agro-ecological zones of Gabon.
LLP/AP incidents:
My country does not monitor LLP/AP situations.
Supplemental information (LLP/AP incidents):
Labelling requirement:
My country is in the process of developing regulations/policies on GM food labeling.
Supplemental information (labelling requirement):
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