GHANA: STATUS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY REGULATIONS

UNCLAS ACCRA 000017

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/DMALAC, AND OES/HLEE
USDA FOR FAS/OA/BSIMMONS AND APHIS/BRS-JTURNER
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR JLEWIS
STATE PASS TO FDA FOR RLAKE
EPA FOR JANDERSON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID ECON ETRD GH SENV TBIO TSPL BIOTECHNOLOGY
SUBJECT: GHANA: STATUS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY REGULATIONS

REF: 2003 STATE 263456


1. Per reftel request, Post provides the following
information on the legal and regulatory environment covering
agricultural biotechnology in Ghana. The Government of Ghana
is still developing its biotech policies, so Post will
provide regular updates, as appropriate.


2. Ghana currently has no national laws regulating the
approval, production, importation, and labeling of products
that may contain the products of agricultural biotechnology.
However, since the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety became
legally binding on Ghana, Ghana has drafted a Biosafety
Guideline and will likely complete a National Biosafety
Framework by mid 2004.


3. Under the draft Biosafety Guideline, all GMOs entering
Ghana will require a permit. The Guideline will govern only
contained work on biotech products, according to Mr. Alex
Owusu-Biney, the Project Coordinator of the National
Biosafety Committee (NBC),which was established to develop
the National Biosafety Framework. The Guideline has not been
applied to consumer ready foods. For biotech feed and seeds,
either imported or produced in Ghana, permits will be
required from the Ministry of Environment and Science. Under
existing import laws, the Plant Protection and Regulatory
Services Department (PPRSD) issues phytosanitary permits for
seeds including grains such as rice and wheat. The Animal
Production Department (ARD) issues permits for feed imported
into Ghana. Under existing procedures, these two
institutions refer any feed or seed products thought to
contain agricultural biotechnology to the Biotechnology and
Nuclear Agricultural Institute (BNARI) through the NBC for
risk assessment. The Guideline does not apply to consumer
ready foods. The Food and Drugs Board (FDB),which registers
all food products imported into Ghana, expects to enforce
labeling requirements on biotech foods when a law is passed
governing agricultural biotechnology.


4. A permit on biotechnology products can also be obtained
directly through:

The Minister
Ministry of Environment and Science
P.O. Box 232
Accra, Ghana
Tel: (233) (21) 666049
Fax: (233) (21) 666828

The application should include a signed letter and an
accompanying dossier on the product. The dossier should
contain contact information of the requester and technical
information describing the GMO, the type of application, type
of receiving environment, data on environmental impacts, food
safety and health impacts on receiving environment. The
information should be sufficient to begin risk assessment.


5. Ghana,s proposed National Biosafety Framework, which is
being funded by UNEP/GEF and will be implemented by the
National Biosafety Committee, has four main components: a
legislative system or a National Biosafety Law providing
guidelines and regulations; an administrative system to
handle permits; a decision making system including risk
assessment and risk management procedures; and a system for
information sharing and public participation. Issues such as
the use of labels on biotech products, testing of shipped
products, penalties, and traceability systems are still under
discussion. It is likely that labels and special
documentation will be required for all biotech products.

Yates