The Department of State for Forestry and Environment, through the Department of Parks and Wildlife, yesterday validated the National Biosafety Framework project at the Corinthia Atlantic Hotel in Banjul.

The project, funded by United Nations Environmental Programme and to be executed by the Department of Parks and Wildlife, is aimed at facilitating the implementation of the National Biosafety Action Plan on access to technology. This will enable The Gambia to fulfill its obligations as dictated by article 6 of the Cartegona Protocol on Biosafety which The Gambia, in recognition of the worldwide biodiversity situation, ratified in July 2003.

Speaking at the forum, the coordinator of the Department of Parks and Wildlife and also of the Biosafety Framework, Alpha Jallow, said though modern biodiversity might much promise for the improvement of human wellbeing, its potential adverse effects on the environment, biological diversity and human health are growing public concerns.

He said that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure the safety of the people and the environment with respect to the risk arising from genetically modified organisms and products. “With the potential risks posed by genetic modification, it is necessary to cope with the nature and scale of known potential risks associated with genetically modified organisms,” Alpha Jallow remarked.  

The deputy permanent secretary of the Department of State for Forestry and the Environment, Abdoulie Danso, who deputised for SoS Momodou Kotu Cham also spoke at length about biodiversity and how it is used by companies for commercial gains as well as against the human populace particularly in the developing countries. He expressed optimism that sooner or later, The Gambia will apply biotechnology in various fields of development such as agriculture, medicine or industry.

“It is imperative, therefore, that mechanisms are put in place to regulate biotechnological applications and to establish safety mechanisms,” DPS Danso noted, adding that this is why a task force is created to help draft the National Biosafety Framework and Bill.  He concluded that the National Biosafety Framework for The Gambia will enable our country to be ready and able to protect her people and environment from potentially dangerous biotechnological applications and products.

In delivering the welcome remarks, the executive director of the National Environment Agency, Momodou B Sarr, reiterated that the Biosafety Framework document is important because it enables The Gambia to put in place mechanisms that prevent harmful effects of modern technology to affect our environment and the health of our people. He said with the validation of the document, The Gambia has the opportunity to prepare for the challenges that are bound to come as more modified organisms are created.