06 Jun 2011Farming unions in Sadc countries sign common policy framework on genetically modified crops and called on their governments to harmonise policies in the region.
MORE Southern African Development Community (Sadc) countries could soon be planting genetically modified crops after the farming unions in 12 of the 14 member countries signed a common policy framework on the crops and called on their governments to harmonise policies in the region.
Farming communities in the region, where genetically modified crops are generally not allowed, are feeling left out as their counterparts who are using these crops in SA, Egypt and Burkina Faso are improving productivity and incomes.
Uganda recently allowed controlled research into genetically modified organisms with the intention of developing seeds suitable for local crops.
The Southern African Confederation of Agriculture Unions (Sacau), which is represented in 12 of Sadc’s 14 member countries, adopted a common policy framework on genetically modified organisms last week in which it called for "political will" to speed up the harmonisation of policies on genetically modified organisms in the region.
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