NAIROBI, Kenya – The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has rolled out new regulations governing the importation and market placement of genetically modified (GM) animal feeds, streamlining approval processes and enforcing stricter oversight.
NBA acting CEO Nehemiah Ngetich announced that applications for GM products already approved in other jurisdictions will receive decisions within 30 days under Section 28 of the Biosafety Act.
For other cases, the timeline could stretch from 90 to 150 days. All applications must be submitted through the government’s e-Citizen platform.
Kenya’s history with GMOs has been contentious. A 2012 Cabinet memo banned GM imports over safety and environmental concerns.
The ban was lifted in 2022, reopening avenues for GM crops like Bt maize and GM animal feeds to tackle food insecurity and pest resistance.
Under the Biosafety Act, separate approvals are required for importing and marketing GM products, with annual registration fees set at Sh30,000 and import permits priced at Sh25,000.
Additionally, companies must pay between Sh10,000 and Sh30,000 annually for GMO labelling, depending on turnover.
Applications for market placement of GMOs are subject to the Biosafety (Environmental Release) Regulations, 2011, and require a fee of Sh850,000.
Successful applicants gain a 10-year, non-transferable approval, while rejected applicants receive detailed explanations.
Once market placement is approved, companies can apply for import permits.
To prevent unauthorized propagation, GM products intended for import must be rendered unviable through milling or processing at the origin, port of entry, or NBA-approved facilities.
Strict segregation and labelling requirements apply to ensure proper handling and consumer transparency.
“The applicant must ensure compliance with all quality control measures to segregate GM and non-GM products,” said Ngetich. “Additionally, packaging and labelling must align with NBA guidelines and the Biosafety (Labelling) Regulation, 2012.”
NBA acting CEO Nehemiah Ngetich announced that applications for GM products already approved in other jurisdictions will receive decisions within 30 days under Section 28 of the Biosafety Act.
For other cases, the timeline could stretch from 90 to 150 days. All applications must be submitted through the government’s e-Citizen platform.
Kenya’s history with GMOs has been contentious. A 2012 Cabinet memo banned GM imports over safety and environmental concerns.
The ban was lifted in 2022, reopening avenues for GM crops like Bt maize and GM animal feeds to tackle food insecurity and pest resistance.
Under the Biosafety Act, separate approvals are required for importing and marketing GM products, with annual registration fees set at Sh30,000 and import permits priced at Sh25,000.
Additionally, companies must pay between Sh10,000 and Sh30,000 annually for GMO labelling, depending on turnover.
Applications for market placement of GMOs are subject to the Biosafety (Environmental Release) Regulations, 2011, and require a fee of Sh850,000.
Successful applicants gain a 10-year, non-transferable approval, while rejected applicants receive detailed explanations.
Once market placement is approved, companies can apply for import permits.
To prevent unauthorized propagation, GM products intended for import must be rendered unviable through milling or processing at the origin, port of entry, or NBA-approved facilities.
Strict segregation and labelling requirements apply to ensure proper handling and consumer transparency.
“The applicant must ensure compliance with all quality control measures to segregate GM and non-GM products,” said Ngetich. “Additionally, packaging and labelling must align with NBA guidelines and the Biosafety (Labelling) Regulation, 2012.”
