The National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) has invited the public to submit comments on an environmental impact assessment (EIA) report for the proposed National Performance Trial (NPTs) on Bt Cotton. The NPTs will be undertaken by Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) for insect resistant cotton commonly referred to as Bt Cotton. According to the notice, the trials will be undertaken in nine station sites, namely Mwea, Katumani, Kampi ya Mawe, Bura, Perkerra, Kibos, Alupe, Barwessa, and Matuga in Kirinyaga.
In 2017, the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) granted a conditional approval for Bt cotton. This approval, which is part of a routine regulated research process in line with national policies and laws, requires that NPTs be done before Bt cotton can be placed on the market. Before commencing with the NPTs, NEMA, one of the eight regulatory bodies working closely with NBA, is expected to receive public comments on the EIA report.
NEMA, on Wednesday 14th March invited members of the public to submit oral or written comments within thirty days to the Director General through dgnema@nema.go.ke, quoting NEMA/PR/S/2/18571. For more details about the public notice and where to access hard copies of the EIA report click here.