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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.

In June 2024, the Nicaraguan Institute of Agricultural Protection and Health (IPSA) issued an executive resolution to strengthen the risk mitigation measures for the monitoring and testing of GE grains.

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...

There were no significant changes to the Nicaraguan biotechnology regulatory regime in 2023. Nicaraguan biotechnology legislation lacks implementing regulations that would open additional opportunities for farmers and food processors to integrate new technologies into their operations.

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.

Despite being passed in 2010, Nicaraguan biotechnology legislation lacks implementing regulations that would open additional opportunities for farmers and food processors to integrate new technologies into their operations. However, Nicaraguan companies continue to regularly import genetically engineered feed grains and oilseed products to support the growing livestock sector.

Despite being passed in 2010, Nicaraguan biotechnology legislation lacks implementing regulations that would open opportunities for farmers and food processors to integrate new technologies into their operations. While progress on the regulatory...

On June 2021, Kenya became the first country globally to approve the environmental release of genetically engineered (GE) cassava. Bt. corn will likely be sent to Kenya’s cabinet for exemption from Kenya’s GE ban and final approval in fall 2021.

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...

In Nicaragua, imports of genetically engineered crops (GE) are limited to use as animal feed.