National Biosafety Policy.

This Biosafety Policy reflects the commitment of the Government of Nigeria in ensuring appropriate levels of protection in the safe use of modern biotechnology, in order to protect the natural and genetic resources of Nigeria and the health of the people living in the country from the potential adverse effects that may arise from the development and application of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) and its derived products. The Policy provides for defining goals and objectives, based on the precautionary principle, in the framework of sustainable development of the country, and in accordance with other National Policies and Legislation. The Policy defines the following objectives: 1) implementation of effective regulation and management of the production, release, commercialisation, trade and trans-boundary movement of GMO; 2) prevent adverse effects of modern biotechnology on human health, the environment, food security, biodiversity or existing agricultural activities, with proper risk assessment procedures; 3) regulating the labelling of GMOs; 4) facilitating public awareness and participation in Biosafety Policy implementation and transparency in decision-making; 5) increasing the capacity of national institutions to implement and monitor a national framework for biosafety.