Asha Dookun-Saumtally & Jean Claude Autrey 7 June 2011
GENETIC ENGINEERING So far, only the MSIRI undertakes GM research projects in Mauritius
Genes introduced in sugarcane GUS (marker) E coli GFP (marker) Aequorea victoria NPT11 (geneticin selection) E coli BAR (Basta tolerance) Streptomyces hygroscopicus CP4 EPSPS (glyphosate tolerance) Arabidopsis (discontinued) CBF4 (drought tolerance) Arabidopsis
Transgenic sugarcane produced Mauritian varieties successfully transformed for Basta resistance No field trial carried out Cuttings issued from transgenic lines evaluated in GH gene expression stable Basta resistant lines available in GH
Drought tolerance Transformation of Q 117 & M cultivars with CBF constructs (CBF4 transcription factor) Drought tolerant Q117 lines - deprived of water for one week (GH) Transformed lines available in GH Tolerant
Transgenic Policy in Mauritius CBD - Mauritius, first signatory to convention in 1992 Has ratified the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in 2002 Biosafety protocol not being implemented: Need for: An operational Biosafety Clearing House (BCH) Regulatory framework in place- AIA to ensure safe transfer, handling and use of LMOs Adequate capacity building to implement protocol Promoting public awareness
GM Legislation in Mauritius GMO Act 2004 (only 7 sections of the ACT promulgated) Transgenic Remaining sections awaiting drafting of regulations + guidelines National Biosafety Committee (NBC) constituted in 2005 (not functional) Amendments being proposed to the GMO Act 2004
GMO ACT 2004 The Act provides measures for: Mandatory application for a permit to develop, produce, use, market, import & export of GMOs Registration of all facilities dealing with GMOs Granting or refusing /suspension or revocation of a permit Evaluating potential risks associated with GMOs Labeling of GMOs Penalties for violation of the law Appeals
Sections proclaimed: 1. Short title 2. Interpretation 3. Application of Act 4. National Biosafety Committee 5. Objects of the Committee 6. Function of the Committee 24. Regulations
Sections not yet proclaimed -18 Sections Including Section 7: Application of a GMO Permit Other sections deal with: Registration of facilities dealing with GMOs Granting or refusing /suspension or revocation of permit Evaluating potential risks associated with GMOs Labelling of GMOs Penalties for violation of the law Appeals
GMO ACT 2004 - Section 7 Application of a GMO Permit Section 7 (3 a) : Application should be accompanied by a risk assessment report and a contingency plan in the form set out in the Second Schedule
The National Biosafety Committee GMO Act 2004 - Sections 4, 5, 6 NBC examines request, may with the approval of the Minister, co-opt for any person to assist the committee In examining the application, NBC shall take into account: (a) direct or indirect effects on the environment & human and animal health (b) social & economic effects on people & society
The National Biosafety Committee The NBC makes recommendations to the PS (Schedule 1) For official use only Date received:. Application No:. Approved or Rejected:.. If rejected, give reasons why Chairman, National Biosafety Committee: Date:
The National Biosafety Committee The NBC makes recommendations to: Either approve permit issue Or reject application (with reasons)
The PS according to Section (8) of GMO Act 2004 (a) Grant a GMO permit, upon a prescribed fee (regulations under preparation) (a) Reject the application (with reasons) & communicate, by registered post, to applicant within 7 days of decision
If the application is rejected Applicant can make an appeal to the Appeal Board within 21 days of the communication of the decision + pay prescribed fee Minister will appoint on an ad hoc basis an Appeal Board ( 6 months to dispose of the appeal)
1 Applicant Applies for a permit + pays application fee Applicant pays GMO permit fee Handling of Application 2 Permanent Secretary NBC assessment Receives application + 2 nd schedule +other relevant documents 4 Sends application to NBC 5 If application complete 3 a. Notice in the Gazette+ 2 dailies b. Public invited to lodge objections within 21 days c. Minister makes statement in N Assembly 6 Approved Rejected PS issues permit Recommendations forwarded to PS PS notifies applicant with reasons rejection within 7 days of decision Makes appeal within 21 days of communication of decision + pay prescribed fee Appeal Board 7
LABELLING & IDENTIFICATION (SECTION 21) There is a duty on every GMO permit holder to ensure that any genetically modified organism is clearly identified and labelled specifying the relevant traits and characteristics of the product. Draft regulations available at SLO
CONFIDENTIALITY (SECTION 17) Provides that any information acquired by a person through the exercise of his powers or the performance of his duties under the ACT shall remain CONFIDENTIAL
Regulations & Guidelines in preparation Regulations Fees Labelling Containment facility & laboratories Consignment in transit Guidelines Handling of request Risk assessment Transport Labelling Packaging
Other measures being put in place in Mauritius UNEP/GEF capacity building project - National Biosafety Guidelines Transgenic for Safe Development and Introduction of GMOs in Mauritius prepared in 1999* 2008 UNEP/GEF Support for the implementation of the National Biosafety Framework of Mauritius, to be completed by June 2011 (FARC, Ministry of Agro-industry and Food Security) * Dookun A, L J C Autrey and M Koch (eds) (1999). Preparation of a National Biosafety Framework in Mauritius. National Biosafety Guidelines for the Safe Development and Introduction of Genetically Modified Organisms in Mauritius. A UNEP/GEF Pilot Biosafety Enabling Activity Project. September 1999, 93 pp