Trust concerned over genetically modified cotton
Cotton Development Trust (CDT) is skeptical about Monsanto’s intention to introduce genetically modified (GMO) cotton seed in the country.
Monsanto applied to government, through the biosafety registrar, its intention to introduce the seed in the country. As per requirement, people that are interested have to give their views on Monsanto’s intention.
The company says genetically modified cotton will increase productivity at a time tobacco, the country’s main foreign exchange earner, is under threat from anti- tobacco smocking campaigners.
But CDT feels that Monsanto has rushed with the idea as a number of issues needs to be sorted out.
According to the Trust, Monsanto is ignoring the implication of the technology (of genetically modifying the cotton seed) to the country’s general agriculture landscape.
“Cotton has been the entry point and sets the precedence for introduction of other GMOs and hence we need to follow through with due diligence all the regulatory and technical processes so that we can address other crops in the same manner,” writes Patrick Khembo on behalf of CDT in a letter addressed to Environmental Affairs Department.
The trust also wants the company to explain how the cotton will perform against pink bollworm in order to avoid what it calls high pest pressure.
CDT warns that in the absence of conclusive tests, it may be pre-mature to grant clearance (to start planting GM cotton) until Malawi is comfortable with the level of pest control under high pest challenge.
“It is acknowledged that the risk of pest resistance is ever present. There is need for a detailed pest resistance management strategy to be established, in recognition of resistance having developed in other countries that have applied this technology,” reads the letter.
