Zimbabwe Debates GMO Food Aid
HARARE, Zimbabwe--The government of Zimbabwe agreed on Aug. 1 to accept almost 20,000 metric tons of food aid from the United States, even though the incoming maize is not certified free of genetically modified organisms (GMO), according to Reuters. The news outlet reported Zimbabwe originally declined the maize in June for fear farmers would use the unmilled grain to plant crops.
"When there is not a drought, these African countries export crops to Europe and other nationals that do not accept genetically engineered varieties," said Craig Winters, executive director of the Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods. "So if the unmilled food relief corn is accepted, they may experience long-term financial loss since their native crops may no longer have an export market."