Govt, Stakeholders Canvass More Use Of Biosafety Activities

Both regulators and players in the Nigerian biosafety sector have stressed the need for broader acceptability of biosafety products and activities for the health benefits of humans and animals.

Minister of Environment Balarabe Lawal and other stakeholders stressed the importance of biosafety in ensuring global food security, improved health, and sustainable environmental practices at a biosafety conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

Malam Lawal said biosafety is not just a technical issue “but a foundational aspect of our collective security, impacting the health of our ecosystems, food systems, and community well-being.”

Also, director-general/CEO of the National Biosafety Management Agency, Dr Agnes Yemisi Asagbra, said all hands must be on deck to “ensure that our biosafety practices not only protect human health but also promote sustainable development and environmental resilience.”

They both made the remarks at the 7th International Biosafety Conference, which was themed “Biosafety: An Indispensable Tool for Achieving Food Security, Health Improvement, and Environmental Sustainability.”

The DG reminded the diverse group of experts, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners of the vital role biosafety plays in safeguarding human and animal health and the environment.” In an era where global challenges like climate change, pandemics, and food insecurity are ever-present, our commitment to biosafety has never been more crucial,” she told the participants at the event in Abuja.

Mrs Asagbra said the journey towards achieving food security, improving health, and ensuring environmental sustainability is a collective effort that can be achieved through a committed effort to promote biosafety activities in Nigeria. “Together, we can make significant strides in enhancing biosafety practices globally.”

The conference aims to facilitate the safe application of modern biotechnology and foster confidence in regulators’ capabilities to adhere to guidelines.

The conference brought regulators and scientists together to share information on how to better regulate biotechnology in Nigeria, among other goals.

“Let us embrace this opportunity to work together towards a future where biosafety is not just a priority but an indispensable tool for national development,” the chairman of the local organising committee for the international biosafety conference, Mrs Hauwa Ahmed, said.