THE IMPLICATIONS OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMOs) FOR THE LIVESTOCK SECTOR

Realising the complexities of issues surrounding the application of biotechnology, members of the OIE Regional Commission for Africa were surveyed on several aspects of genetic modification in general as well as its particular application in the livestock sector. Realising that biotechnology is not a “fix all” solution for the growing demand to produce more food, questions were also construed in such a way to gain insight into other existing policies, programmes and strategies, which would ensure a coordinated and integrated approach to improving animal production. Although many countries did not provide much detail, a number of relevant policy initiatives, programmes and strategies do exist.