Zambia says ban on gene-altered maize stands
Thu Jan 5, 2006
LUSAKA (Reuters) - Zambia said on Thursday a ban on gene-altered maize remained in force despite pressure from millers arguing it delayed shipment of grains to the southern African country.
Zambia faces severe food shortages and the government declared a national food emergency last year to attract more donor support to save people on the brink of starvation. It says 1.7 million people need food handouts because they are far too poor to afford commercial purchases.
"We have never gone back on the ban on GM (genetically modified) maize," Agriculture Minister Mundia Sikatana told Reuters in Lusaka. He added that all maize being shipped in from South Africa and other destinations had to be tested to verify it was free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Millers had pressed the government to waive compulsory testing for GMOs to speed up the importation of commercial and relief food. Zambia says there is sufficient non-GM maize available in South Africa and other markets.
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