Azaraimy HH
Food scarcities, given the global crisis, are enabling Genetically
Modified (GM) food to make a considerable impact on the human diet. Trade
restrictions by major exporters, like imposing bans and taxes as prices
continue to soar, are also worsening the food crisis.
This was highlighted during the opening ceremony of the two-day Fifth
Asean Meeting on Genetically Modified Food Testing Network held yesterday in
BSS.

Hjh Normah Suri Hayati PJDSM DSU (Dr) Hj Mohd Jamil Al-Sufri, the
Director of Agriculture, spoke on the reasons behind the impact of and the
current doubts on GM food's global growth.

The Asean Genetically Modified Food Testing Network is a working group
under the Asean SONIAMAF.

It serves as a platform for member countries to improve GM food
testing capabilities by sharing their resources and expertise.

It also works to enhance the credibility of Asean member countries'
regulatory processes, thus increasing public confidence in and general
acceptance of GM food.

The meeting's main agenda was to discuss the progress of the work plan
that includes updates on the current status of the Genetically Modified
Organism (GMOs) regulatory systems and testing capabilities, as well as the
level of expertise to be found in Asean countries.

There will also be presentations of papers on the Global Status of GM
Crops, the Discussion on Establishment of Regional Training Centres for
Testing GM Food, Discussion on the Terms of References of the Asean
Coordinating Committee on Food Safety, as well as other reports from member
countries.

In her opening speech, Hjh Normal] Suri Bayati also talked about the
remarkable progress in crops made by GM technology. She said that to date,
GM crops are grown in 23 countries, covering about 114.3 million hectares.

Moreover, given today's global food crisis that is party due to the
weather, climate change and natural disaster, scientists are pressured to
come up with solutions and major breakthroughs in food production to feed
the increasing world population.

She added that there is also an unhealthy implication to the world's
political and social atmospheres. Like all new technologies, the genetic
modifications of food undoubtedly pose some risks.

The meeting will work with synergy to address various obstacles and
challenges, while aiming to increase confidence and awareness on GM food
regulations in Asean countries. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin


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