CropLife Pakistan Executive Director Rashid Ahmed welcomed the federal government’s approval of Pakistan’s first National Agricultural Biotechnology Policy and National Seed Policy 2026, calling it a major milestone for strengthening food security, agricultural productivity, farmer support, innovation, and the seed and biotechnology sectors. He said the biotechnology policy was developed through nearly two years of consultations involving government institutions, scientists, provincial representatives, regulators, and private-sector stakeholders. Ahmed also rejected what he described as misleading media reports about GM maize, explaining that regulatory field trials began in 2009 under the Pakistan Biosafety Rules and Guidelines 2005, with commercialization approvals granted in 2016–17 after all statutory requirements were met. He clarified that these approvals later expired due to the absence of a comprehensive biotechnology policy, not because of safety concerns.

Ahmed further stated that the new policy provides a clear framework for advancing GM crop commercialization, including yellow maize. He rejected claims that China and India have abandoned GM maize, noting that both countries are progressing with regulated approvals and field trials. He argued that GM maize poses no new contamination risk since Pakistan’s livestock and poultry sectors already rely on imported GM soybean and canola, while existing seed stewardship practices can ensure purity. Highlighting Pakistan’s annual maize export earnings of around USD 350–400 million, he said adopting advanced maize technologies could further boost production and exports. He warned that continued delays in renewing GM maize commercialization licenses would discourage investment, leave Pakistan behind regional competitors, and deny farmers access to technologies that could improve productivity and incomes.

Original Link: https://epinews.com.pk/english/archives/1858