GMO Soybean Import Approval – Different Aspects of GMO and Cartagena Protocol

The federal government has permitted the import of GMO soybeans. The National Biosafety Committee has issued licenses. Focusing on GMO Soybean benefits for the economy, the Pakistan Poultry Association raised a strong voice against the Ban on GMO Soybean Import in 2022. GMO means genetically modified organisms and Pakistan regulates LMOs or GMO Products under the Cartagena Protocol through Pakistan Biosafety Rules and National Biosafety Guidelines. The National Biosafety Centre is the secretariat for Biosafety Committees under the Environment Protection Agency. Pakistan Biosafety Clearing House is the platform for information exchange. It joins all stakeholders on GMOs. In this article, we will cover different aspects of GMO, Soybean including the question of what are GMO soybeans used for.

According to various media reports, last month, licenses were issued to 42 companies by the National Biosafety Committee. In this regard, continuous consultations were going on between the Ministry of National Food Security, the Ministry of Climate Change, and other institutions. The Pakistan Poultry Association has welcomed the permission for this soybean. Experts and businessmen related to the poultry industry say that the permission for soybeans will reduce the problems of the poultry industry. On the other hand, the process of granting this permission is also being criticized by anti-GMO circles.

• • Why GMO Soybean Import was banned?
  • Efforts of Pakistan Poultry Association and others
  • What are GMO and LMOs and their Use?
  • Favour and Opposition of GMO
  • What is GMO Soybean?
  • What are GMO soybeans used for?
  • Is GMO Soybean Safe?
  • International Use of GMO Soybean
  • GMO Soybean in Europe
  • What is the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety?
  • Approval for GMO in Pakistan

Why GMO Soybean Import was banned?

In 2022, a ban on GMO Soybean import from USA was imposed on the basis of GMOs. The then Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Tariq Bashir Cheema played a key role in this ban. As a result of government measures, a large quantity of soybeans was stopped at the port.

Tariq Bashir Cheema was of the view that GMO soybean is not allowed to be imported into Pakistan. Customs Intelligence seized ships of illegally imported GMO soybeans. He said that if such products had been coming to Pakistan since 2015, it would have been illegal. The law only allows the import of non-GMO soybeans.

Efforts of the Pakistan Poultry Association and Others

Pakistan Solvent Extraction Association as well as the Pakistan Poultry Association protested vigorously against this Ban on GMO Soybean. Press conferences, seminars, and rallies were organized in different cities in this regard. A huge protest demonstration was held in Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi highlighting the GMO Soybean benefits in the economy. Furthermore, this issue was also raised vigorously in the national media. Meetings were also held with more high-ranking government figures.

لاہور میں احتجاج، سویابین جلد ریلیز کرنے کا پاکستان پولٹری ایسوسی ایشن کی جانب سے مطالبہ

Under the leadership of the then Poultry Association, Ch Muhammad Ashraf, along with Dr. FM Sabir, Mian Jan Muhammad Javed (late), Khaliq Arshad, Khalil Sattar, Dr. Hassan Sarosh Akram, Ch Nusrat Tahir, Ghulam Khaliq, Ghulam Muhammad Khan and others played a full role. Ch Muhammad Ashraf played a very active and important role in this regard. They demanded immediate release while lifting the Ban on GMO Soybean.

The Pakistan Poultry Association appealed to the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Advertisements were issued in newspapers as well as private channels in this regard. The association said that for the past several years, the poultry industry has been using feed based on soybeans and corn, which has improved production by 25 percent. Thanks to GMO Soybean benefits, chicken meat is the cheapest source of protein supply in Pakistan. If soybeans are not released, the immediate supply of feed will become a big problem for poultry farming.

The then-president of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce, Saqib Rafique, the President of the Lahore Chamber, Kashif Anwar, and the President of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Khurram Tariq also raised voices against the Ban on GMO Soybean and demanded the immediate release of soybeans.

What are GMO and LMOs and their Use

Organisms whose DNA is changed through genetic engineering are called GMOs, i.e. Genetically Modified Organisms. These are also called Living Modified Organisms (LMOs). This technology is used in the production of seeds of various crops and medicines. The purpose of using this technology in crops is to improve production and improve the ability to fight various diseases.

Along with agricultural research, genetic engineering is also widely used in pharmaceuticals. The biggest example of GMO medicine is insulin for diabetics, which was first produced through genetic engineering. BT cotton in Pakistan is also an example of a GMO.

جی ایم او سے متعلقہ مسائل اور حکمت عملی کے موضوع پر مشاورتی اجلاس، بائیو سیفٹی کمیٹی تشکیل

According to the FDA, the GMO crops grown on a large scale in the US include soybeans, corn, canola, cotton and beetroot, and their major use is in animal feed. 95% of the feed for the livestock industry in the US consists of GMO crops. Apart from animal feed, these GMO products are also used in cereals, oil, and chips etc. Along with this, there are also some GMO vegetables and fruits in the US, while a type of GMO fish is also found.

Favour and Opposition of GMO and LMOs

Experts in favor of GMOs and LMOs say that their purpose is the same as that of traditional selective breeding or crossbreeding, to achieve maximum production with minimal loss. In this context, the use of genetic engineering is a modern method. GMO Soybean Benefits are also focused in this context.

On the other hand, there are also a large number of people who oppose GMOs and LMOs in the world. It is generally associated with biodiversity and the environment. Along with this, there is also a global opinion opposing the human consumption of GMO food.

What is GMO Soybean

It’s the soybean with genetic modification. It is the output of genetic engineering. Monsanto in 1995, first introduced this GMO Product. Later different companies in different countries also introduced various patents. This seed of soybean is more resistant to diseases and pests. Moreover, it gives a high yield and results in more economic benefits.

What are GMO soybeans used for

Genetically modified GMO soybeans are widely used in various industries. Its international usage is due to improved traits such as disease resistance, high production, and other GMO Soybean benefits.

The primary use of soybeans is in the food industry. Different soy derivates including soy lecithin, soybean oil, and soy protein isolate are used in processed food. Its use is in bakery, margarine, and snakes. Due to GMO Soybean benefits, it is also used as a protein source in supplements and sports medicines. Moreover, Soy milk and tofu are used as vegetarian products.

یو ایس سویابین ایکسپورٹ کونسل کے زیر اہتمام پروٹین کی اہمیت کے موضوع پر سیمینار کا انعقاد

Another use of soybeans is in Livestock Feed. It is used in poultry feed, dairy feed, and fish feed. Byproducts of soybean extraction and soybeans are used as protein sources in feed.

It is also used in biofuel, bioplastics, lubricants, and inks.

Is GMO Soybean Safe

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the use of GMO foods is safe for humans. Soybeans and other GMO crops do not cause harm to animals either.

According to the US FDA, GMO feed does not affect the health of animals or cause them any other harm. The modified DNA from eating GMO feed does not enter the animal, meaning that the animal itself does not turn into a GMO after eating GMO feed. Similarly, DNA from GMO animal food does not become part of milk, meat, and eggs. In this regard, the Food and Drug Administration declares products from animals fed GMO feed safe for humans. On the other side, experts say that the human safety of GMO Food has not sufficient research.

In the United States, any GMO food or feed product goes through various stages before being put on the market. In the United States, organizations such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulate GMO-related products. The purpose of monitoring by these organizations is to ensure the provision of quality and safe food. In the United States, it is necessary to label GMO foods as Bioengineered according to recently approved laws.

International Use of GMO Soybean

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), more than ninety percent of soybeans grown in the United States are GMO soybeans, while its major use is in livestock and poultry feed, as well as in edible oil. According to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) data, 94 percent of soybeans and 92 percent of corn were grown with GMOs in 2020.

On the other hand, soybeans are also widely used in livestock and poultry feed around the world, and the United States is a major soybean exporter. Major countries importing soybeans from the United States include China, Mexico, the European Union, Japan, and others. This highlights the GMO Soybean benefits in livestock agriculture.

GMO Soybean in Europe

There is considerable opposition to the use of GMOs and LMOs in various countries of the European Union. The use of GMO food is allowed in some countries of the European Union, while it is banned in some. The European Union allowed the import of GMO soybeans for animal feed in 2020, but its cultivation is not allowed. Similarly, in many countries, the import of GMO seeds is permitted but their local cultivation is prohibited. Opponents of GMO food say that there is not much research on its human use.

آئل سیڈ کی امپورٹ سے متعلقہ مسائل اور پولٹری انڈسٹری پر اس کے اثرات

What is the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is an international agreement to protect natural diversity from genetically engineered products. This agreement ensures to regulation of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs). This aims to keep a balance between the commercial benefits and human health while considering the outputs of Genetic Engineering. Under this agreement, countries ensure the regulation of the import and usage of LMOs and GMO Products.

Approval for GMO in Pakistan

In the context of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, there is a National Biosafety Center (NBC) under the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency to regulate GMOs in Pakistan. Under this center, the National Biosafety Committee and Technical Advisory Committees work on various applications related to GMOs and submit their recommendations. Pakistan Biosafety Rules 2005 and National Biosafety Guidelines 2005 have also been approved for the regulation of GMO. Recently, amendments have also been made to the Biosafety Rules. Under the Cartagene Protocol on Biosafety, Pakistan Biosafety Clearing House is the platform for information exchange. It unites the stakeholders in a single platform.

Approved GMO Soybean Benefits 

The poultry industry suffered irreparable damage due to interference in the import of GMO soybeans. Now, with regular permission for GMO soybeans, the poultry industry as well as other industries will get the GMO Soybean benefits. It will also increase the other business related to soybeans.

Editor In Chief

Dr. Jassar Aftab is a qualified Veterinarian having expertise in veterinary communication. He is a renowned veterinary Journalist of Pakistan. He is veterinary columnist, veterinary writer and veterinary analyst. He is the author of three books. He has written a number of articles and columns on different topics related to livestock, dairy, poultry, wildlife, fisheries, food security and different aspects of animal sciences and veterinary education.

See Full Bio