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{
    "id": 714760,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/714760/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 15,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "The Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Member for Kandara, you appear to be in a foul mood today. Hon. Members, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order No.225(2)(b), I hereby convey to the House that my office is in receipt of a petition signed by one Joel Winyo Ochieng, on behalf of the Kenya University Biotechnology Consortium (KUBICO). The petitioners are praying for lifting of ban on consumption of foods derived from Genetically Modified Organisms commonly referred to as “GMOs”, and issuance of permit to conduct field trials of BT maize – a maize crop developed locally using genetic engineering for resistance to a common stalk borer. The petitioners contend as follows:- THAT, the Government, in banning consumption of all food derived from GMOs violates Chapter Six of the Constitution on the Bill of Rights and provisions of the Biosafety Act, 2009, which provides that the National Biosafety Authority is the only regulatory body authorized to impose such ban; THAT, to-date the ban on GMO foods has not been gazetted and no legal notice has been issued to that effect, hence the Ministry of Health may be irregularly implementing the order to ban GMOs in Kenya; THAT, sufficient evidence demonstrates that the ban was imposed in a discriminatory manner and does not suggest any safety measure or an act of precautionary nature; and, THAT, the ban on GMOs undermines the authority of Parliament, which enacted the Biosafety Act No.2 of 2009. In this regard, the petitioners pray that the National Assembly examines the prayers contained in this petition with a view to causing lift of ban on consumption of foods derived from GMOs and issuance of permit to conduct field trials of BT maize crop. This petition therefore stands committed to the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives for consideration. The Committee is required to consider the petition and report its findings in accordance with the provision of Standing Order 227 (2). The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}