Zambia
Country introduction:
The National Biosafety Authority under the Ministry of Higher Education Department of Science and Technology is responsible for regulating genetically modified organisms in Zambia. The National Biosafety Authority is responsible for the implementation of the Biosafety Act no. 10 of 2007. The Authority is responsible for all forms of regulation involving research, development, application, import, export, transit, contained use, release or placing on the market of any genetically modified organism whether intended for use as a pharmaceutical, food, feed or processing, or a product of a genetically modified organism. The National Biosafety Authority ensures that any activity involving the use of any genetically modified organism or a product of a genetically modified organism (GMO) prevents any socio-economic impact or harm to human and animal health, or any damage to the environment, non-genetically modified crop and biological diversity. The Authority sets and implements standards for risk assessment, evaluation and management of any potential risk involving the use of any genetically modified organism or product of a genetically modified organism.
The National Biosafety Authority through the Scientific Advisory committee receives, reviews and decides on all applications involving GMOs.
The National Biosafety Authority through the Scientific Advisory committee receives, reviews and decides on all applications involving GMOs.
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):
Relevant contact details:
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):
Regulation stacked events:
On a case-by-case basis, some stacked events may have reduced/simplified assessment requirements.
Supplemental information (stacked events):
Molecular stacks require new event approval.
Conventional breeding stacks may have a different process depending on whether or not the single events have already undergone regulatory approvals in Zambia.
However, Zambia has now developed a guideline on stacked events whose objective is to provide guidance and information on the safety assessment and risk management requirements including procedures for plants with genetically modified events stacked through traditional breeding or molecular techniques. The safety assessment process is anticipated to identify and evaluate potential adverse effects whether direct, indirect, immediate or delayed (including cumulative long-term effects) on the receiving environment(s) under the Biosafety Act No. 10 of 2007 and its Regulations.
Conventional breeding stacks may have a different process depending on whether or not the single events have already undergone regulatory approvals in Zambia.
However, Zambia has now developed a guideline on stacked events whose objective is to provide guidance and information on the safety assessment and risk management requirements including procedures for plants with genetically modified events stacked through traditional breeding or molecular techniques. The safety assessment process is anticipated to identify and evaluate potential adverse effects whether direct, indirect, immediate or delayed (including cumulative long-term effects) on the receiving environment(s) under the Biosafety Act No. 10 of 2007 and its Regulations.
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):
LLP/AP incidents:
My country has not faced any LLP/AP situations in the last 10 years.
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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