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On Friday, March 7, 2025, Kenya’s Court of Appeal put a hold on the trade and cultivation of genetically engineered (GE) products until an appeal filed by the Kenya Peasants League is fully heard.

With the notable exception of Bt. cotton, biotech products are not allowed to be produced, imported, or marketed in Kenya. On October 30, 2024, Kenya’s High Court is expected to make a ruling on the biotechnology case challenging the production and trade in genetically engineered (GE) agricultural products.

Since 2011, Peru has continued its moratorium on biotechnology due to concern on its impact to the environment. The scientific community, however pledges to adopt it . In January 2021, Peru extended the previous ten-year biotechnology moratorium for another fifteen years.

Peru continues to enforce the extended biotechnology moratorium. In February 2021, Peru extended the previous ten-year biotechnology moratorium for another fifteen years. Similar to the previous moratorium, Peru has yet to notify the measure to the...

On October 3, 2022, Kenya’s newly elected president, Dr. William Ruto, lifted the 10-year ban on importation and cultivation of genetically engineered (GE) agricultural products. Kenya’s Cabinet cited the need to provide the agricultural sector with...

On February 3, 2022, Kenya notified a draft standard on labeling for genetically modified seed (KS 2983-2023) to the WTO TBT Committee as G/TBT/N/KEN/1379. The comment deadline is 60 days from the date of notification with June 2023 as the proposed date of adoption.

On October 3, 2022, Kenya’s newly elected president, Dr. William Ruto, lifted the 10-year ban on importation and cultivation of genetically engineered (GE) agricultural products. This decision opens a path to importation of GE agricultural commodities and domestic production of GE crops in accordance with Kenya’s existing regulatory structure.

Peru continues to enforce the extended biotechnology moratorium. In February 2021, Peru extended the previous ten-year biotechnology moratorium for another fifteen years. Similar to the previous moratorium, Peru has yet to notify the measure to the World Trade Organization. In general, biotechnology remains misunderstood by the public in Peru.

Peru’s Congress has approved a law to extend the ongoing ten year moratorium to fifteen years.

Kenya’s import ban on genetically engineered (GE) products continues to constrain commerce and trade of agricultural products, preventing local producers, consumers, and industry access...

The first planting of Bt. Cotton for commercialization in Kenya is planned for the start of the long rains season, which is expected in March or April 2020.

This report contains Government of Kenya (GOK) technical import requirements and regulations for food and agricultural products.