Near East

Tunisia is continuing to postpone non-urgent matters in front of major political and economic reforms. As a result, Tunisia’s biosafety framework, which was drafted in 2014, remains on hold with no timeframe for a review and parliamentary vote.

Morocco continues to import agricultural products derived from genetically engineered (GE) technologies for use in animal feed products. No GE products have been developed or commercialized for local production in Morocco. GE products are not allowed for human consumption.

The planting of genetically engineered (GE) crops is currently not authorized and there is no biosafety legal framework in place in Egypt. The absence of a biosafety framework contributes directly to a lack of public awareness, funding, and trust in agricultural biotechnology.

Representatives from nearly 50 U.S. agribusinesses and trade groups and 14 state departments of agriculture will travel to Casablanca, Morocco, Dec. 2-5, as part of a U.S. Department of Agriculture trade mission to expand U.S. farm and food exports to Morocco and other West African markets.

Under Secretary Alexis Taylor will lead a USDA trade mission to Casablanca, Morocco, Dec. 2-5, 2024. Current and potential U.S. exporters interested in participating should apply for consideration by Aug. 28.