WFP urges government to decide whether to accept GM food

The World Food Programme (WFP) has called on the Zambian government to make a timely decision on whether or not to accept genetically modified (GM) maize after a workshop held on Monday to discuss the issue was inconclusive. "We have impressed upon the Zambian authorities the need to make a decision on the matter,” WFP Country Representative in Zambia, Richard Ragan, told IRIN on Tuesday. “The sooner they decide what they are going to do, the sooner we can get on with the business of feeding hungry people." It is estimated that 2.3 million Zambians face hunger due to drought and other factors. On Monday, Ragan said that if the government did not act expeditiously, some 42,000 mt of US-supplied maize en-route to Zambia would have to be diverted to other countries. The United States has repeatedly defended the safety of its grain which has been modified to increase crop yields and kill pests. "We Americans eat genetically modified corn with no problems.” US ambassador to Zimbabwe, Joseph Sullivan, told IRIN last week. “We see no reason why it should present a problem to any other country." But Zambian government and non-governmental officials have expressed concern that genetically modified food could be harmful. "The government appreciates the assistance of the United States but we have a moral obligation to look after the health of our people.” Minister of Agriculture, Mundia Sikatana, told IRIN on Tuesday. “We are mindful of the gravity of the situation and a decision will be made sooner rather than later. Right now it is with the president and we await his response," he added. Emily Sikazwe, an agronomist and Executive Director of Women for Change (WFC), said the government should reject the shipments and instead source maize elsewhere. She told IRIN that participants at Monday's workshop called on donors to extend a US $50 million loan so the country could import food from nations that do not grow GM cereal crops. Zambia has a projected maize deficit of around 626,000 mt until April next year. According to WFP and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) figures, commercial imports are projected at 351,000 mt, with the remaining shortfall of 275,000 mt to be covered by the government and donor aid.