This Act provides rules relative to the import, development, export, research, transit, contained use, release or placing on the market of any genetically modified organism whether intended for release into the environment, for use as a pharmaceutical, for food, feed or processing, or a product of a genetically modified organism. The rules intend to ensure that harm by GMO’s is prevented to the environment, human or animal health, non-genetically modified crops or biological diversity.
The Act establishes the National Biosafety Authority and the Scientific Advisory Committee. The Act further, among other things, provides rules relative to packing and labelling of GMO’s, regulates international trade in GMO’s and their transit through Zambia, provides rules for the co-existence of genetically modified crops or animals with other crops or animals, sets out standards for the assessment, evaluation and management of potential risk involving the use of GMO’s and provides for mechanisms for liability and compensation in relation with damage caused by GMO’s.