National biosafety framework  has been in place since 1998. In 1998, the Research Act was amended to provide for the management of potentially harmful technologies and undertakings. In 2000, the Research (Biosafety) Regulations were developed and gazetted. National policy on biotechnology and its safe use was developed in 2005. In 2005, the Government through the National Policy on Biotechnology agreed to allocate 0.5% of GDP towards biotechnology research, development, application and regulation. To reinforce the policy framework, a new law establishing the National Biotechnology Authority into place – the National Biotechnology Authority Act  [cap. 14.31] of 2006                                                                                                    ]

All phamaceuticals are controlled by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe. They however refer to the NBA requests for new products from GMOs                                                                                                 

Imports and exports are screened for the presence of LMOs . We have not yet had any case of LMOs transiting through our country.                                      

With regard to the intentional introduction of LMOs into the environment , Zimbabwe refers to the National Biotechnology Authority Act of 2006 and guidelines for planned release of LMOs into the environment.                                      

LMOS FFPs are handled on a case by case basis to augment national stocks and in emergence situations. The National Biotechnology Authority supervises the handling of all LMOs to ensure that no material enters into the environment.                                            

In cases where new evidence is received approval decisions can be reviewed.                                                   

Even though guidelines are  there developed by SADC which are on a voluntary basis. They resemble our own system. There are however links between regulatory agencies in the region. There are also guidelines that are being  developed by COMESA though they are not legally binding                                              

LMO FFPs and those LMOs for intentional release into the environment are treated the same because there are chances that LMO FFPs  can escape  into the environment thus the need to conduct risk assessments for all cases.  Risk assessment was done done in 2003 but was overtaken by events.                                      

The inspectorate regularly carries out survellinace programmes with the intention of checking for LMOs in imports, exports  and harvests. Field trials involving LMOs are also supervised inorder to minimise unintentional introduction of LMOs into the environment.                                         

The inpectorate is always on the look out for unintentional transboundary movements  of LMOs. LMOs which are illegally imported are milled under the supervision of the National Biotechnology Authority or destroyed.                                                

The national focal point for the Cartagena Protocol is the Ministry of Environment and for the BCH it is the National Biotechnology Authority. The national competent authourity for   the Cartagena Protocol is the National Biotechnology Authority.                                        ]

Zimbabwe  has successfully completed the BCH project and some of the trained people are now posting information on the BCH website.                                                                                     

The Government of Zimbabwe has made tremendous efforts in biosafety capacity building. These efforts were complimented by organisations like ICGEB and RAEIN_AFRICA which have assisted in training the country's risk assessors.&nbsp; <br />Zimbabwe has applied to receive funds for Building Capacity for Effective Participation in the BCH (Phase II).&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

The country is involved in various public awareness activties and information gaps are constantly checked for and addressed.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

The country has not entered into any agreement with a non party&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Officers at ports of entry verify import and export documents. Consignments without the required documentation are held pending submssion of import documents. Samples of consignments are collected and tested for the presence of LMOs. In the event of detection of LMOs consignments are either subjected to supervised milling or destroyed. Permit defaulters are penalised.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Zimbabwe has made tremendous progress in implementing provisions of the Cartagena Protocol. However financial constraints have hampered efforts to fully implement provisions of the Protocol.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

To date Zimbabwe has not experienced any challenges in taking into account socio-economic considerations in decision making.

the national biotechnology authority is responsible for carrying out programmes at local, national and international level.