April 2016

NIGERIANS REJECT MONSANTO’S GMOs

Civil society groups object to the commercial release of genetically modified cotton and maize, citing health and environmental concerns.

By Lim Li Ching

            On 28 March 2016, more than 100 civil society groups representing over 5 million Nigerians objected to Monsanto’s attempts to introduce genetically modified (GM) cotton and maize into the country. In written objections submitted to the biosafety regulators, the groups cited numerous serious health and environmental concerns and pointed particularly to the dismal track record of GM cotton in Africa.^[1]

            Monsanto Agricultural Nigeria Limited has applied to the National Biosafety Management Agency (NABMA) for the environmental release and placing on the market in Zaria and surrounding towns of GM cotton [Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton, event MON 15985]. A further application is for the ‘confined field trial’ of two GM maize varieties (NK603 and stacked event MON 89034 x NK603) in multiple locations in Nigeria.

            In their objection to the commercial release of Bt cotton into Nigeria, the groups drew on the lessons learnt in South Africa and Burkina Faso. In South Africa, within 10 years of its introduction in the Makhathini Flats, most growers had abandoned Bt cotton altogether, with smallholder farmers facing crippling debt. The civil society groups were particularly alarmed that the application had come so close after the news that Bt cotton in Burkina Faso is being phased out entirely.

            “We are totally shocked that it should come so soon after peer reviewed studies have showed that the technology has failed dismally in Burkina Faso. It has brought nothing but economic misery to the cotton sector there and is being phased out in that country where compensation is being sought from Monsanto,” said Nnimmo Bassey, Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation. The application lacked any discussion on the socio-economic considerations for small farmers, who are the majority of cotton producers in Nigeria.

            Bassey further asks the pointed question: “since our Biosafety Act has only recently entered into force, what biosafety legislation was used to authorise and regulate the field trials in the past in accordance with international law and best biosafety practice?”According to the groups, former President Goodluck Jonathan hastily signed the National Biosafety Management Bill into law^[2], in the twilight days of his tenure in office.

            Monsanto’s GM maize application is for two varieties, both genetically engineered to be tolerant to the use of the herbicide, glyphosate. In March 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO), assessed the carcinogenicity of glysophate and concluded that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic to humans.”

            According to Mariann Orovwuje, Friends of the Earth International’s Food Sovereignty co-coordinator, “Should commercialization of Monsanto’s GM maize be allowed pursuant to field trials, this will result in increased use of glyphosate in Nigeria, a chemical that is linked to causing cancer in humans. Recent studies have linked glyphosate to health effects such as degeneration of the liver and kidney, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. That NABMA is even considering this application is indeed unfortunate and deeply regrettable, knowing full well about the uncontrolled exposure that our rural farmers and communities living close to farms will be exposed to.” 

            Monsanto’s application provides no discussion on the potential risks of glyphosate use to human and animal health, nor to the environment. (There is also increasing scientific evidence that glyphosate poses serious risks to the environment.) Apart from the potential of contaminating local varieties, the health risk of the introduction of GM maize into Nigeria is enormous considering the fact that maize is a staple food for the 170 million Nigerians.

            The civil society groups are urging the Nigerian government to reject Monsanto’s applications. They note with disquiet that there is a serious lack of capacity within Nigeria to adequately control and monitor the human and environmental risks of GM crops and glyphosate. Furthermore, there is virtually no testing of any food material and products in Nigeria for glyphosate or other pesticide residues, or the monitoring of their impact on the environment including water resources.   – Third World Network Features.

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About the author: Lim Li Ching is a researcher with the Third World Network.

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