Senegal: Biotechnology and Other New Production Technologies Annual

The Government of Senegal is still reviewing and revising its new biosafety law which may include language for an expedited approval process for certain genetically engineered (GE) products. In September 2020, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) approved a regional biosafety law and a regional environmental action plan for the 2020-2026 period for its State members. Burkina Faso recently started research on GE rice lines using genome editing techniques for resistance to bacterial blight disease. Because reliable information is limited, many West Africans are not well informed about the issues involved with biotechnology. Gaining future market acceptance will depend on efforts to inform and educate the public about the safety and benefits of biotechnology products. This is a regional report on West Africa that primarily covers Senegal, Burkina Faso, and Mali, but also provides brief overviews in certain sections for Niger, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Mauritania.