AGRICULTURE REPORT - Genetically Engineered Food Aid

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AGRICULTURE REPORT – September 17, 2002: Genetically² Engineered Food Aid

By George Grow

This is the VOA Special English AGRICULTURE REPORT.

A food crisis³ in southern Africa has added to the debate about the use of genetic¹ engineering in agriculture. The
United Nations says almost thirteen-million people in southern Africa need emergency food aid. U-N officials
have urged other countries to provide food and money. The U-N said only one-fourth of the money needed to
provide food assistance has been offered.

America’s top agriculture official reacted to the U-N report with a statement.
Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman noted⁴ that the United States is the largest
provider of food aid to southern Africa. But Mizz Veneman said opponents of
genetically engineered food have limited the ability of the United States to send
food.

She accused them of providing "misguided statements about the American food
system." She said the goal is to create fear. Mizz Veneman said the food the United
States is offering is safe and the same food that Americans eat.

The American official did not name any organization in her statement. But her spokesman⁵ gave Greenpeace as an
example. Representatives denied the charges.

Earlier this month, President Robert Mugabe announced that Zimbabwe will accept genetically engineered maize⁶
from the U-N World Food Program. This was a change in policy. But in Zambia, President Levy⁷ Mwanawasa has
called genetically engineered food "poison" and "dangerous."

The Zambian government argues that such food could mix with native crops. It says a genetically engineered
crop could threaten Zambian exports. European countries refuse genetically engineered food.

More than two-million people in Zambia need emergency food aid. The president says Zambia can produce
enough food to last until December. In Malawi, President Bakili Muluzi said any genetically engineered food aid
must be processed, to protect native crops.

Jacques Diouf heads the U-N Food and Agriculture Organization. Mister Diouf says he recognizes there are
concerns about possible risks to the environment and to agriculture. But he urged southern African countries to
consider scientific information. He says that, based on current knowledge, the food being offered "is not likely to
present a human health risk."

This VOA Special English AGRICULTURE REPORT was written by George Grow.

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