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| Agriculture to hold Bio-safety workshop in Suva Jun 17, 2004, 17:07 |
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The Ministry of Agriculture will organise a half-day workshop at the Tanoa Plaza Hotel in Suva on Friday June 18th to develop a national framework on biosafety.
Director of Research Division Jainendra Kumar said the framework aims to safeguard and ensure that an adequate level of protection is followed when genetic modified (GM) goods are imported or produced for our population.
He said that biotechnological innovations are taking place, which are providing solutions to the basic problems of development and environment.
Mr Kumar however cautioned that there is a need to regulate these innovations to avoid any negative impacts on human health.
"We have to develop measures to regulate these genetically modified product so that they do not become detrimental to humans and to the environment," said Mr. Kumar
He said that the first genetically modified produce (tomatoes) hit the US markets in 1994 and since then a wide range of GM products have increased steadily.
As more genetically modified products enter market people are also concerned that GM products will affect their health
Mr Kumar elaborated that to this effect the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, developed in 2003 enableling governments to develop policies to make informed decisions when importing genetically modified products into the country.
He said that with measures in place we could say no to products that pose a health hazard.
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