“Nigeria Should Harness Its Investments in Agricultural Biotechnology by Quick Passage of the Biosafety Bill in the National Assembly,” Says U.S. Expert
Abuja: September 4, 2009

Gary Blumenthal with Nigerian officials in a roundtable discussion on global biotechnology trends. | FULL SIZE

Visiting U.S. Speaker on biotechnology and biosafety Mr. Gary Blumenthal said that the quick passage of the Biosafety Bill. Currently before the National Assembly, is essential to enable Nigeria harvest the fruits of its investments in biotechnology. 

Mr. Blumenthal visited Nigeria from September 1 – 5, 2009 and engaged with Nigerian policymakers; legislatures; researchers and scientists; businesses, trade and agricultural associations, civil society and the media, in Ibadan, Lagos, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.  He addressed the Nigerian Chapter of the monthly Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB) and shared his perspectives on the global trend on agricultural biotechnology and biosafety.

In his presentations, Mr. Blumenthal was joined by a Nigerian expert Professor Bamidele Solomon, Director General of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA).   Over 200 scientists, government officials, representatives of civil society and the media participated in the meetings and learned about the state of biotechnology in the world, its role in improving agricultural production, and applications in medicine and other areas, all essential for Nigeria’s economic progress.   

Mr. Blumenthal noted that Nigeria, as a signatory to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, is expected to adopt a biosafty legislation to regulate the safe application of biotechnology in agriculture and other areas.  He said Nigeria has well qualified and capable scientists and biotechnological institutions ready to exploit the technology for the betterment of its society.  He said the missing link is a legal framework to regulate the application of the technology.   Seven countries in Africa have already adopted biosafety legislations and are using the technology to improve their economies.   According to the U.S. speaker, the technology has been in use to boost agricultural production and improve yield for the past thirteen years without a single known incident of either environmental damage or harm to human health.  He added that currently there are over two billion acres (about 800, 000 hectares) of farmland in the world that use the technology and the cumulative area is expanding every year.   

Responding to a question on “how can Nigeria be protected against the adverse consequences of biotechnology?”   Mr. Blumenthal said “this is a regulatory question, and the answer lies with the enactment of Nigeria’s Biosafety Law.”  He added that the biosafety legislation has “protocols and requirements for field testing and establishes   food safety, health, and environmental standards to ensure the safe application of the technology and prevent any adverse consequences.  Mr. Blumenthal added that Nigeria has federal and state agencies in place that have  the capacity to regulate the application of technology.  Mr. Blumenthal noted that Nigeria has already invested in the science and if it fails to move forward with the enactment of the Biosafety Law by the National Assembly, the country would have wasted the money and lost productivity gains on the food chain.  “I think the scientists would like to see the fruits of their labor actually make it into application in the fields of Nigeria,” Mr. Blumenthal emphasized.  

Gary Blumenthal provides policy and market analysis, as well as coverage on the impact of food safety and environment issues to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).  He serves on numerous boards including service as a member of the joint USDA-USTR Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Grains, Feed and Oilseeds, the USDA Emerging Markets Program Advisory Committee, the World Agricultural Forum, the American Council for United Nations University, and Chair of the Ag Roundtable.  He has talked about agricultural biotechnology and biosafety in several countries in the world, including in South Africa, Argentina, and Brazil, among others.