Zimbabwe -- Govt approves GM maize imports

Zimbabwe Independent ^ | June 28, 2002 | Vincent Kahiya

[Clive]

THE government has approved the importation of genetically-modified maize as part of efforts to feed starving Zimbabweans, the Zimbabwe Independent established this week.

World Food Programme (WFP) public affairs officer in Zimbabwe, Makena Walker, this week confirmed government had agreed to allow GM maize into the country.

"The government of Zimbabwe has agreed to take GM maize so long as it is milled immediately upon arrival in the country," Walker said.

The Independent understands the Bio-Safety Board in the Office of the President and Cabinet recently wrote to the WFP, which is co-ordinating relief efforts in the country, stating government policy regarding the importation of GM maize.

Walker confirmed receipt of the letter but could not provide further details.

Earlier this month the government was reported to have turned down GM maize from the United States because it threatened beef exports and local maize seed varieties. In a televised programme, Talking Farming, Lands and Agriculture minister Joseph Made said GM maize was "unacceptable in Zimbabwe".

Maize initially destined for Zimbabwe was eventually shipped to Malawi and Zambia who are also facing severe food shortages.

Walker said the WFP placed no restrictions on GM foods which had passed the safety standards of a donating country and were accepted by the recipient country.

"There are no restrictions placed on GM foods under the Codex Alimentarius, which is the joint World Health Organisation and Food and Agricutlure Organisation body dealing with safety and other standards for trade in foods.

"WFP neither tests nor labels for GM content since that is not called for by the Codex and there are no internationally- accepted standards for such tests," said Walker.

A recent United Nations report said GMO products (maize meal) had been allowed into the country, but only by special waiver on a case-by-case basis. The waivers are granted after consultations with the Bio-Safety Board, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement, and the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.

"The administrative complexity of obtaining the waiver could impede actual food aid delivery by delaying logistical timeline necessities," the report said.

"The UN system and donors are negotiating with government to establish a more streamlined means of bringing GMO products into the country in order to ease the current food crisis," said the UN.

Last week we incorrectly reported that the WFP had imported 117,000 tonnes of food under the aid programme to Zimbabwe. The WFP this week said pledges of up to 66,600 tonnes had been made to date.

[Clive]

Looks like someone leaned on Mugabe to let the genetically engineered maize in. Zim was adamant against it as late as a fortnight ago.

[Clive]

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[Salman]

How sad this is. Up until two years ago Zimbabwe was an exporter of maize. Zimbabwe was "the breadbasket of Africa". Not just before Mugabe, even under Mugabe until recently.

Until Mugabe decided to be the Stalin of Africa. I had relatives who were victims of the Ukranian famine. This is the same, even to the detail of no one of importance in the world giving a damn.