ONSSA: Watermelon seeds cultivated in Morocco are not genetically modified

Rabat – Abou Zaid El Idrissi, a member of the Justice and Development Party (PJD), has sparked uproar and concerns for his statement, suggesting that the seeds used to cultivate watermelon in Morocco are “genetically modified.” The politician appeared in a video on social networks, saying that watermelon should become available in August, accusing farmers selling the fruit before that month of using genetically modified seeds. Morocco’s National Office of Sanitary Safety of Food Products (ONSSA) issued a statement today, refuting the claims. ONSSA argued that the vegetable seeds used in Morocco in the cultivation of watermelon are not “genetically modified.” The statement emphasized that the import of the various plant species “is conditioned by a prior authorization.” ONSSA criticized the dissemination of certain rumors on social networks regarding watermelon products, saying that some regions including Zagora is known for the early production of watermelon due to its favorable ...