GMO ban stays despite hunger, says Made

GMO ban stays … Agriculture minister Joseph Made

Made told journalists that bio-safety laws will not be tinkered with to allow importation of genetically modified maize after the government Tuesday launched a $1.5 billion drought relief appeal.

“When it comes to GMO you know the position of government is very clear, we do not accept GMO as we are protecting the environment from the grain point of view.

“So far, there are places where one can obtain non- GMO grain in Zambia, South Africa as well as in the Ukraine,” he said.

The minister said government will inspect all the imported grain to ensure that it was not genetically modified. He said if there were any grain millers that had been not been given permits to import grain they should approach him personally for assistance.

“Anyone wishing to import grain there has never been restrictions and the millers know that.”

In December, the Grain Millers Association wrote to government asking for permission to import grain maize following reports that the country was left with only eight weeks of supplies.

It is estimated that about 3 million Zimbabweans, mostly in Masvingo, Matebeleland South and North and Midlands provinces, will need emergency food aid this year as the country experiences its worst drought in almost two decades.