Biosafety Act of 2006 requires review and modernisation says Aupindi

By: Selma Taapopi

Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources, Tobie Aupindi, says the Biosafety Act of 2006 (Act No. 7 of 2006) and its subsequent regulations have served Namibia well over the years.

He however noted that rapid scientific advancements have exposed the need to review and modernise both the Act and its regulatory framework.

Aupindi pointed out that while the legislation was promulgated in 2006, its accompanying regulations were only adopted a decade later, creating a regulatory gap that risks leaving the country behind developments in science and technology.

He stressed that the review of biosafety legislation should be progressive and conducted on a regular basis rather than left to discretion.

Aupindi made these remarks on Monday in Windhoek at the opening of a high-level parliamentary workshop on strengthening biosafety governance in Namibia.

He observed that the fields of biosafety and biotechnology have evolved significantly and now extend into medicine, industrial production, food systems, and environmental conservation.

“Today, biotechnology operates at the molecular level, enabling unprecedented precision in medicine, agriculture, and environmental management. Namibia, like the rest of the world, must be prepared for a rapidly evolving and disruptive technological and scientific landscape. We are entering an era where production systems, governance models, and regulatory frameworks are being transformed by high-definition technologies and integrated digital platforms backed by science. We either adopt strategically or we risk marginalisation.” he stated

Aupindi further pointed out that advances in these areas have been accelerated by powerful analytical tools, including whole-genome sequencing and OMIC’s technologies used to characterise biological molecules. He also referenced new approach methodologies that provide alternatives to animal testing, underscoring the pace at which scientific innovation continues to reshape the sector.

The workshop is aimed at providing Parliamentarians with a comprehensive strategic overview of Namibia’s National Biosafety Framework, including its current implementation status, key achievements, and existing challenges, in order to clearly justify the necessity for reviewing and updating the Biosafety Act and the National Biosafety Policy.

He said this will be done to present to the Parliamentarians the rationale of the proposed amendments to the Biosafety Act, 2006 and to share international experiences and emerging trends in biosafety governance to support informed legislative decision-making amongst other objectives.