Pakistan formally allows import of GMO soybean

LAHORE: The federal government has officially authorised the import of genetically modified (GMO) soybean by granting licences to dozens of companies.

The Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) on Thursday welcomed the move, saying it will help in sourcing quality protein for feed. The significant milestone has been achieved for the first time as the National Biosafety Committee (NBC) granted import licences for soybean to 39 companies.

This development follows extensive consultations with the Ministry of National Food Security & Research, the Ministry of Climate Change, the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA), and various other stakeholders.

The ban on GMO soybean has been in place for the past couple of years, following revelations about the illegal and undeclared import of the commodity. The issue persists due to various factors. However, after extensive lobbying by several stakeholders, the technical hurdles have been addressed by importers. The PPA also played a crucial role in achieving this significant progress for the industry.

This success not only marks a step forward in agricultural innovation but also fortifies the poultry industry’s foundation, setting the stage for future achievements, said a member of the association.

This accomplishment underscores the dedication of the PPA’s leadership, particularly former chairman Chaudhary Muhammad Ashraf and Dr FM Sabir, whose tireless efforts have propelled the poultry industry forward, benefitting businesses and individuals reliant on this sector for their livelihoods, he added. The newly issued licences are expected to enhance the industry by providing a steady supply of high-quality soybean for poultry feed, thereby improving productivity and competitiveness. This achievement lays a robust groundwork for the newly elected PPA leadership, promising even greater successes in the future.

During the whole process, the PPA conducted numerous meetings with stakeholders for advocating the approval of soybean imports. The association gave commitment to adhering to the biosafety regulations and standards

It may be noted that debate on food laced with GMO took a twist as soybean importers in December 2022 refused to accept the department of plant protection’s demand for testing consignments. The debate was followed by the suspicion expressed by customs authorities. Subsequently, the plant protection department asked importers to get the consignment tested for ascertaining seed type, etc. However, the association member said that a deadlock was created due to the refusal of importers to get their consignments tested.

The authorities refused to release consignment of soybean without following what they called regulation mechanism. They had stressed that they could not allow imported cargoes on the insistence of the import lobby without any risk assessment.

Tariq Bashir Cheema, the then minister for national food security, took a firm stance and rejected the importers’ demand to release the imported soybeans that have been stuck at the port for several weeks. He made it clear that the import of genetically modified soybeans is not permitted in Pakistan, and only non-GMO soybeans are allowed into the country.

The official added that non-GMO soybeans are available globally, though at a slightly higher cost. He questioned why importers or processors cannot purchase non-GMO soybeans, which are permitted for consumption in the country.

He also cautioned that a lobby is actively working to introduce GMO seeds into the country. “Once an imported consignment containing GMO soybeans is cleared,” he warned, “it could open the floodgates for GMO produce and local cultivation, significantly compromising the country’s non-GMO status.” According to an official report, soybean meal is produced as a by-product of soybean oil extraction and is used primarily in animal feed and as a food supplement. Currently, there are two types of soybeans: GMO and non-GMO.

GMO soybeans have undergone genetic engineering for specific purposes, while non-GMO soybeans retain their natural properties without genetic modification. The price of non-GMO soybean meal is about 30 per cent higher than GMO-based meal. Most GMO soybean meal is produced in the US, Argentina and Brazil.