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."