Zambia
Country introduction:
The National Biosafety Authority (NBA), under the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, is the statutory body responsible for implementing the Biosafety Act No. 10 of 2007 and regulating all activities involving genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and their products in Zambia. The Authority oversees the research, development, importation, exportation, contained use, release, and commercialization of GMOs to ensure the protection of human and animal health, the environment, biodiversity and socio-economic interests.
To promote regulatory compliance the NBA conducts inspections, monitoring, and surveillance of institutions, facilities and GMO-related activities. The Authority also establishes and implements standards for risk assessment, evaluation and management, ensuring that biotechnology is developed and applied safely and responsibly. The Authority also conducts public awareness and education to sensitise the public on the institutions mandate. Through awareness, the Authority translates complex issues into accessible knowledge, help shift mindsets, inspire safer health habits, and promote environmental care. The Authority through its Scientific Advisory Committee the NBA receives, reviews, and determines applications involving GMOs in Zambia.
To promote regulatory compliance the NBA conducts inspections, monitoring, and surveillance of institutions, facilities and GMO-related activities. The Authority also establishes and implements standards for risk assessment, evaluation and management, ensuring that biotechnology is developed and applied safely and responsibly. The Authority also conducts public awareness and education to sensitise the public on the institutions mandate. Through awareness, the Authority translates complex issues into accessible knowledge, help shift mindsets, inspire safer health habits, and promote environmental care. The Authority through its Scientific Advisory Committee the NBA receives, reviews, and determines applications involving GMOs in Zambia.
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):
The country now has an SI 42 on Food, feed and processing. This Statutory Instrument or regulation also talks about labelling.
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