MELCA-Ethiopia collaborating with PELUM-Ethiopia and YALTA organized a national biosafety workshop: concerns and Emerging Issues

With the financial support by Sida, PADD/BFW and IKEA, PELUM-Ethiopia, YALTA and MELCA-Ethiopia jointly held a National Biosafety Workshop to create awareness on Biosafety and discuss matters related the emerging issues and concerns regarding introduction of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and planned and ongoing genetic modification of strategic Ethiopian crops from 10 – 11 May 2022.

The overall objective of the national dialogue is to share ideas, concerns and knowledge on basics of Biosafety, legal  issues governing GMOs and implications of the introduction of GMOs and modifications of local food crops to social, economic and ecological aspects in particular and agriculture and food system of the country in General.

Accordingly, topical papers have been presented by different researchers and professionals on Biosafety Principles and Concerns, Forcing GMO into Ethiopia’s Agriculture: potential consequences to small scale farming and agro-ecosystems, Ethiopian Agroecology Network: Opportunities and Challenges, Implications of the introduction of GMO Potato on food security of Ethiopia, Applications of Biotechnology on Enset Research and Development: The implication of Genetic modification of  Enset, and Legal Matters related to GMO Governance- a brief reflections.

At the workshop different stakeholders from house of people representative agricultural affairs standing committee, Civil Society Organizations, Academic Institute, Researchers and Medias have been participated.

Based on presented papers workshop participants raised and discussed different points. Finally, the workshop organizers and participants produce a declaration to be submitted to all concerned bodies.