NBMA Suspends Registration of New GM Cotton Varieties

The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has ordered the immediate suspension of the registration of four new genetically modified (GM) cotton hybrid varieties in Nigeria, specifically MIC 561 BGII, MIC 563 BGII, Biose Fiyah CH1001, and Biose Fiyah CH1002. This announcement was made by the Director General of NBMA, Mr. Bello Bawa Bwari, during a press briefing on Tuesday in Abuja.

The agency's decision follows the identification of serious compliance abnormalities related to the registration process. Bawa Bwari stated that the agency's regulatory oversight revealed that the cotton varieties were registered without the requisite approval, violating the National Biosafety Management Act of 2015.

Furthermore, the NBMA confirmed that field trials involving these transgenic varieties were conducted without prior authorization. The agency emphasized that no person or institution is permitted to conduct confined field trials or commercial releases of genetically modified organisms without explicit approval from the NBMA.

The suspension of the registration will remain in effect pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.