2019-01-08 | permalink

MAINA: Bt cotton no aid to textiles sector but a trapdoor for unsafe food

In Summary
- Once Bt cotton is accepted, the next step will be the introduction of other food crops, such as Bt maize and GM Soya, into the food system.

- Whichever way you look at it, the main beneficiaries will be the multinationals, who will effectively take over the seed and food industry in Africa.

The push for the introduction of Bt cotton has intensified in Kenya in the past few months.

The GMO proponents are promoting Bt cotton as a crop for fibre and textiles only. However, as it has been done in other countries, only 40 per cent of the Bt cotton will be for textile production; the larger 60 per cent will be extracted as cottonseed oil, cotton seed cake and straw for animal feeds. From this, we can see a greater percentage of the Bt cotton ending up in the food chain — for human consumption.

The supporters argue that tests done on these crops have ascertained their safety on humans and the environment, a claim that is factually erroneous going by the inconclusive scientific findings of studies on GMO safety.

• Daily Nation: MAINA: Bt cotton no aid to textiles sector but a trapdoor for unsafe food