NOA: 'Deep concern over' 5% GMO threshold

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Jacques du Toit
  • 3 Hours Ago

The Namibia Organic Association (NOA) took part in the latest meeting of the Technical Working Group on Agroecology and Organic Agriculture (TWG AE-OA), focusing on the Strategy for the Transformation of the Agri-Food Sector (STAS).

The strategy is intended to serve as a roadmap for the future of Namibia’s agricultural sector.

During the meeting held earlier this year, NOA and other stakeholders reviewed progress on the STAS action plan, identifying priority areas including research, education and sustainable production practices.

Despite the absence of dedicated funding, NOA said it is working to integrate these priorities into existing programmes. The association also aims to establish a monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress in the organic agriculture sector.

Separately, NOA represented the organic sector at a Biosafety Act Review Validation Workshop held in Windhoek.

The workshop forms part of efforts to update Namibia’s biosafety framework. However, NOA has raised concerns about proposed changes to thresholds for genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

According to current proposals, Namibia could adopt a 5% GMO threshold, compared with the previous 0.9% limit. Under such a system, products containing up to 5% GMO material would not require labelling.

NOA has called for a “process-based approach”, similar to systems used in the European Union and New Zealand, which requires disclosure of any use of genetically modified technology regardless of whether it is detectable in the final product.

The association said the proposed threshold risks would reduce transparency for consumers, while favouring industry interests.