• Not principal administrators of Act

• DOH administers the Foodstuffs Act (safety issues)

• DOH duly consulted on the Bill

• We support the Bill

• Role of DOH as provided for in the Act (sec 5 ) to ensure that , in general , the health of the population is not compromised by any activities on GMO.

• DOH, in collaboration with others by sitting on the Council –

It ensures that-

· Min of Agric is advised on health aspects of GMO’s (sec4)

· Consideration of health matters in applications for GMO activities (sec 5(1)(b)'

· Its satisfied that agreements/arrangements on contingency plans regarding unintentional transboundry movements do not jeopardise the health of the population (sec 5 (1)(j)

· Authorizations for permits(not prejudicial to health) are made by the registrar

• The Bill reinforces that role (clause 7, which amends sec10) which introduces the requirement that one of the persons sitting on the Committee must have knowledge of potential impact of GMO on human (and animal ) health.

• As with any other technology that impacts on health , environment , etc a regulatory regime is critical

• Regulatory regime to be in line with international guidelines

• This regulatory regime multi-sectoral

• DOH is happy the control systems: as provided for in the Act /Bill