Sudan
Country introduction:
The Republic of Sudan has an estimated population of approximately 43,849,260 people, according to Worldometers. Agriculture plays a central role in the country’s economy and food security, with a diverse range of staple, food, and cash crops. The major crops cultivated include cotton, sesame, groundnuts, sugarcane, dates, citrus fruits, mangoes, coffee, and tobacco, as reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization. These crops not only support domestic consumption but also contribute significantly to export revenues.
In terms of biotechnology governance, Sudan established a Draft National Biosafety Framework in 2006 under the UNEP-GEF Biosafety Project. This framework laid the foundation for regulating modern biotechnology and ensuring biosafety in the country. Building on this, the government enacted the National Biosafety Law in 2010, which provides the legal basis for managing the safe transfer, handling, and use of living modified organisms (LMOs). The primary objective of this legislation is to ensure an adequate level of protection against potential adverse effects on biodiversity and human health, in alignment with international biosafety standards and facilitated through the Biosafety Clearing-House.
Sudan has taken steps toward the adoption of genetically modified crops, particularly in the case of insect-resistant cotton. In 2012, the country approved the environmental release of a transgenic Bt cotton variety known as Seeni 1, which contains the Cry1A gene and was developed by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. This was followed in 2015 by the approval of two Bt cotton hybrids expressing the Cry1Ac gene (Event 1), developed by JK Agri Genetics in India, for commercial cultivation. Additionally, insect-resistant Bt cotton continues to be evaluated under confined field trials as part of ongoing regulatory and scientific assessments.
With regard to trade, Sudan permits the importation of genetically modified food and feed, provided that such imports receive official authorization, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (2021). The country has also encountered cases of low-level presence (LLP) and adventitious presence (AP) of genetically modified content in food aid over the past decade, reflecting challenges in monitoring and controlling unintended GMO presence in imported commodities.
Agricultural trade remains an important component of Sudan’s economy. The country’s main agricultural exports include oilseeds, groundnuts, insect resins, forage crops, sorghum, and dried legumes. Key export destinations include Egypt, Kenya, Tunisia, Nigeria, and Senegal, as indicated by data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity. On the import side, Sudan relies on several countries, including Egypt, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Rwanda, and Kenya, for essential agricultural commodities such as wheat, rice, tea, dried legumes, and sorghum.
Despite these developments, the biotechnology sector in Sudan faces several significant challenges. These include low public awareness and limited understanding of biotechnology, negative perceptions and strong activism against genetically modified technologies, and insufficient financial investment in research and development. Furthermore, there is a clear need for enhanced stewardship training and capacity-building efforts to support farmers in adopting and managing biotechnology-based innovations effectively.
Overall, Sudan presents a transitional case in agricultural biotechnology, where regulatory frameworks and initial adoption efforts are in place, particularly for Bt cotton, but broader implementation is constrained by socio-economic, institutional, and perception-related barriers. Strengthening public awareness, increasing investment, and improving the linkage between research institutions and agricultural production systems will be critical for advancing biotechnology’s role in achieving food security and sustainable agricultural development in the country.
Sudan enacted national biosafety law bythe national assembly, and signed by the president of the republic of Sudan in 2010, Ministry of environment is the parent responsible ministry. National Biosafety Council (NBC)has been executed under the umbrella of ministry of environment.The national biosafety council is the chief competent authority and it was established in 2012. Biosafety technical committee has been approved by NBC which includes experts from different relevant ministries.
In Sudan first GMO detection system has been established in Agricultural Research Corporation (ARC) investigating (seed, food and feed) introduced into the country through Sudanese market and food aids.
In terms of biotechnology governance, Sudan established a Draft National Biosafety Framework in 2006 under the UNEP-GEF Biosafety Project. This framework laid the foundation for regulating modern biotechnology and ensuring biosafety in the country. Building on this, the government enacted the National Biosafety Law in 2010, which provides the legal basis for managing the safe transfer, handling, and use of living modified organisms (LMOs). The primary objective of this legislation is to ensure an adequate level of protection against potential adverse effects on biodiversity and human health, in alignment with international biosafety standards and facilitated through the Biosafety Clearing-House.
Sudan has taken steps toward the adoption of genetically modified crops, particularly in the case of insect-resistant cotton. In 2012, the country approved the environmental release of a transgenic Bt cotton variety known as Seeni 1, which contains the Cry1A gene and was developed by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. This was followed in 2015 by the approval of two Bt cotton hybrids expressing the Cry1Ac gene (Event 1), developed by JK Agri Genetics in India, for commercial cultivation. Additionally, insect-resistant Bt cotton continues to be evaluated under confined field trials as part of ongoing regulatory and scientific assessments.
With regard to trade, Sudan permits the importation of genetically modified food and feed, provided that such imports receive official authorization, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (2021). The country has also encountered cases of low-level presence (LLP) and adventitious presence (AP) of genetically modified content in food aid over the past decade, reflecting challenges in monitoring and controlling unintended GMO presence in imported commodities.
Agricultural trade remains an important component of Sudan’s economy. The country’s main agricultural exports include oilseeds, groundnuts, insect resins, forage crops, sorghum, and dried legumes. Key export destinations include Egypt, Kenya, Tunisia, Nigeria, and Senegal, as indicated by data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity. On the import side, Sudan relies on several countries, including Egypt, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Rwanda, and Kenya, for essential agricultural commodities such as wheat, rice, tea, dried legumes, and sorghum.
Despite these developments, the biotechnology sector in Sudan faces several significant challenges. These include low public awareness and limited understanding of biotechnology, negative perceptions and strong activism against genetically modified technologies, and insufficient financial investment in research and development. Furthermore, there is a clear need for enhanced stewardship training and capacity-building efforts to support farmers in adopting and managing biotechnology-based innovations effectively.
Overall, Sudan presents a transitional case in agricultural biotechnology, where regulatory frameworks and initial adoption efforts are in place, particularly for Bt cotton, but broader implementation is constrained by socio-economic, institutional, and perception-related barriers. Strengthening public awareness, increasing investment, and improving the linkage between research institutions and agricultural production systems will be critical for advancing biotechnology’s role in achieving food security and sustainable agricultural development in the country.
Sudan enacted national biosafety law bythe national assembly, and signed by the president of the republic of Sudan in 2010, Ministry of environment is the parent responsible ministry. National Biosafety Council (NBC)has been executed under the umbrella of ministry of environment.The national biosafety council is the chief competent authority and it was established in 2012. Biosafety technical committee has been approved by NBC which includes experts from different relevant ministries.
In Sudan first GMO detection system has been established in Agricultural Research Corporation (ARC) investigating (seed, food and feed) introduced into the country through Sudanese market and food aids.
Regulatory framework:
My country has a regulatory framework that requires the competent authority to conduct safety assessment of GM food.
Structure for GM food safety assessment:
My country has competent authority, agency, organization, ministry, department, committee, commission or a system/mechanism that is tasked to conduct or review GM food safety assessment.
Supplemental information (regulatory framework):
Sudan managed to establish measures to implement its obligations under the
protocol, including National Biosafety Law 2010, and the required administrative
and legal capacities and technical committees to serve the implementation of the
national biosafety measures. The Biosafety Directorate issued several guidelines,
such as “Biosafety Guidelines for the Contained Use of Genetically Modified
Organisms (GMOs)”, which provides policies and procedures for the application,
approval, and monitoring of GMOs in contained settings such as laboratories and
greenhouses. However, since April, 2023 Sudan passed difficult circumstances due
to devastating armed conflict, which caused huge destruction in the infrastructures
of the Biosafety entity, laboratories, ...etc. Therefore, financial support is needed in
order to operationalize the NBF and fulfil the commitments.
protocol, including National Biosafety Law 2010, and the required administrative
and legal capacities and technical committees to serve the implementation of the
national biosafety measures. The Biosafety Directorate issued several guidelines,
such as “Biosafety Guidelines for the Contained Use of Genetically Modified
Organisms (GMOs)”, which provides policies and procedures for the application,
approval, and monitoring of GMOs in contained settings such as laboratories and
greenhouses. However, since April, 2023 Sudan passed difficult circumstances due
to devastating armed conflict, which caused huge destruction in the infrastructures
of the Biosafety entity, laboratories, ...etc. Therefore, financial support is needed in
order to operationalize the NBF and fulfil the commitments.
Relevant contact details:
National Biosafety Council: June 2012
•24 Members
•Headed by the minister of Environment
•General Secretariat, 7 officers
Biosafety Technical Committee of 10 members
Legal Advisor
Appeals Committee (5 members)
Name of the Competent National Authority:
Higher Council for Evironment and Natural Resources
Khartoum,
10488,
Sudan
+249 183 777 160
+249 183 787 617
[email protected]
•24 Members
•Headed by the minister of Environment
•General Secretariat, 7 officers
Biosafety Technical Committee of 10 members
Legal Advisor
Appeals Committee (5 members)
Name of the Competent National Authority:
Higher Council for Evironment and Natural Resources
Khartoum,
10488,
Sudan
+249 183 777 160
+249 183 787 617
[email protected]
GM food safety assessment guidelines:
My country follows the relevant Codex Guidelines or national/regional guidelines that are in line with the Codex Guidelines in conducting safety assessment of GM food.
Conduct of GM food safety assessment:
My country regularly conducts food safety assessment of GM food.
Supplemental information (assessment):
sudan has a humble begining on GM food safety assenssment through investigation and detection of products introduced to Sudan through markets and food aid as well as some indicators
Regulation stacked events:
Stacked events require full assessment as a new GM event.
Supplemental information (stacked events):
Regulation of stacked events: In my country, GM food/feed that contains stacked event(s) is considered as a new product even if all single events that are stacked have already approved.
GM food/feed production:
My country does not produce any GM food or feed.
GM food/feed imports:
My country allows imports GM food or feed upon authorization.
Supplemental information (production and trade):
Sudan implements Article 12 of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety by establishing
procedures for the review and, where appropriate, the revision of decisions
concerning the import and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) in light of new
scientific information or changed circumstances. The Higher Council for
Environment and Natural Resources is the competent national authority responsible for regulating LMOs intended for commercial use, research and development,
handling, and for issuing decisions on their importation for food, feed, or field trials.
In addition, a formal mechanism exists to revisit and amend decisions, when
necessary, under full legal supervision and in consideration of national conditions.
Such revisions are undertaken only after a comprehensive evaluation process,
including a detailed risk assessment.
Sudan had and approval for environmental release of two Bt cotton hybrids expressing Cry 1Ac gene (Event 1) for comercial
Approval for environmental release of two Bt cotton hybrids expressing Cry 1Ac gene (Event 1) for comercial planting developed by JK Agri Genetics, India. Date of the decision
10 Aug 2015
Approval for environmental release of one transgenic Bt cotton variety (Seeni 1) containing Cry 1A gene developed by Chinese Academy of Agricultural, at 2012.
procedures for the review and, where appropriate, the revision of decisions
concerning the import and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) in light of new
scientific information or changed circumstances. The Higher Council for
Environment and Natural Resources is the competent national authority responsible for regulating LMOs intended for commercial use, research and development,
handling, and for issuing decisions on their importation for food, feed, or field trials.
In addition, a formal mechanism exists to revisit and amend decisions, when
necessary, under full legal supervision and in consideration of national conditions.
Such revisions are undertaken only after a comprehensive evaluation process,
including a detailed risk assessment.
Sudan had and approval for environmental release of two Bt cotton hybrids expressing Cry 1Ac gene (Event 1) for comercial
Approval for environmental release of two Bt cotton hybrids expressing Cry 1Ac gene (Event 1) for comercial planting developed by JK Agri Genetics, India. Date of the decision
10 Aug 2015
Approval for environmental release of one transgenic Bt cotton variety (Seeni 1) containing Cry 1A gene developed by Chinese Academy of Agricultural, at 2012.
LLP/AP incidents:
My country has faced LLP/AP situations in the last 10 years.
Supplemental information (LLP/AP incidents):
The country has also encountered cases of low-level presence (LLP) and adventitious presence (AP) of genetically modified content in food aid over the past decade, reflecting challenges in monitoring and controlling unintended GMO presence in imported commodities.
Labelling requirement:
My country does not have any labeling regulations/policies on GM food.
Supplemental information (labelling requirement):
Sudan’s National Biosafety Law (2010) implements a regulatory framework for
genetically modified organisms (LMOs) and their products, including provisions
related to their import and export (i.e., transboundary movement), biosafety
assessment, and risk considerations. The law applies to LMOs that pose risks to the
environment, human health, or biological diversity, in line with the Cartagena
Protocol.
genetically modified organisms (LMOs) and their products, including provisions
related to their import and export (i.e., transboundary movement), biosafety
assessment, and risk considerations. The law applies to LMOs that pose risks to the
environment, human health, or biological diversity, in line with the Cartagena
Protocol.
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