Parliament has today deferred the Biotechnology and Biosafety Bill, 2012 for further public consultations.

The bill whose aim is to allegedly provide for development and general release of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Uganda was tabled in parliament in February this year for scrutiny by the parliamentary committee on Science and technology.

The Committee chairperson Denis Hamson Obua while presenting the report committee observed that several of the stake holders including farmers the MPs consulted were in objection to the bill.

The minister without portfolio Richard Todwong said that the government has resolved to subject the “GMOs” bill for further public consultation.

The National Biotechnology and Biosafety Bill, 2012, which also provides for a regulatory framework to facilitate safe development and application of biotechnology was a Private Members Bill initiated by the committee.

Its aimed at further providing for a Competent Authority, whose functions, if approved, would include approving the development, testing and use of GMOs in the country as well as updating the national focal point on matters relating to biotechnology and biosafety among others.