Zimbabwe accepts GM Food Aid with conditions
Posted: Sunday, September 8, 2002By Masimba Karikoga, www.herald.co.zw
The federation has indicated that it would import 74,5 tonnes of fortified white maize, 51,4 litres of edible refined vegetable oil, 31 tonnes of edible beans, 13,77 corn soya blend and 5,61 tonnes of brown sugar.
The food, which is worth several millions of dollars, will be distributed through the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society.
An official at the federation said the purchase of the commodities, which had been temporarily put on hold because of the Government's earlier rejection of GMO food aid, was expected to commence soon.
"The reason for this is that Zimbabwe's regulations for importing food items varied from the federation's regulations and standard international practice. The federation's regional logistics delegate was working to arrive at a means of importing the items that abides with the federation's regulations while at the same time respecting the local regulations,’’ said the official.
The federation's country manager and its regional logistic delegate were negotiating a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Food Programme which is set to increase the amount of food available to Zimbabwe Red Cross Society for distribution.
The WFP also announced last week that it would increase its monthly food imports into Zimbabwe from 10 000 tonnes to 55 000 tonnes.
The United States Secretary for Agriculture, Ms Ann Veneman, told reporters in Johannesburg last week during the World Social Summit on Sustainable Development that her country had committed more than 500 000 tonnes of food aid to Southern Africa.
She was unhappy that the distribution of the food aid was being hindered by some individuals and organisations opposed to bio-technology.
Several other international organisations are said to have stepped up efforts to bring in more food relief into Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe and Zambia had previously rejected GMO food aid on the grounds that it was a threat to human safety and could contaminate local crops and the environment.
However, the Government reversed the decision after receiving more information and said that it would accept the food aid on condition that it will be quarantined to allow Zimbabwe’s agricultural scientists to closely monitor its shipment, milling and distribution in the country. MOREPrinter friendly version
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