GMO Imports Approved: Court Rules “No Evidence Of Harm To Humans”
The Environment Court dismissed a case challenging the importation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into the country, citing the absence of evidence demonstrating their toxicity to humans.
The case was submitted by the Kenya Peasants League, a lobbying group representing peasant farmers.
Thursday, Justice Oscar Angote ruled that adequate public participation was accomplished through a KICC session and a gazette notice.
The court ruled that the petitioner made unsubstantiated claims regarding the cultivation, importation, and exportation of GMO maize without a license because no evidence was presented.
“There is no evidence presented before the court by the petitioner to show that the fourth respondent is already engaged in food cultivation, processing import, and export…” said Justice Angote.
In addition, the court stated that the petitioner had not challenged the international and domestic laws governing GMOs, and that evidence presented to the court demonstrated that Kenya has a robust framework regulating the viability of GMOs.
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“Evidence before me has shown that the country has put in place a robust framework with inbuilt structures which must be met before they consider the use of GMOs.” Justice Angote added.
“The framework has been set up for the evaluation of GMO foods to human ….evidence before the court shows that the international biosafety authority can check on food assessment….”
According to the court, Kenya has multiple institutions entrusted with addressing the GMO issue in its entirety, so it is not plausible that they would all conspire to expose the population to a catastrophe.
“This court has not shown any evidence that the respondents and institutions violated the laws and regulations on GMO foods, specifically the approval to release maize cultivation, importation, and exportation… “I dismiss the petition,” added Justice Angote.
GMO Imports Approved: Court Rules “No Evidence Of Harm To Humans”
