Zimbabwe not importing genetically modified food: official

People's Daily/www.zimbabwesituation.com ^ | February 21, 2006

[MRMEAN]

Zimbabwean Minister of State for Land Reform and Resettlement Didymus Mutasa has denied the press reports that the southern African country had started importing genetically modified foods from Argentina.

Mutasa said in a statement that "To be honest, I have never heard of that. They would have to consult with me but no one has done so. That policy (against unmilled genetically modified maize) is steadfast, we continue to maintain it. It has not been reviewed and the cabinet has not changed its position," he said.

Zimbabwe and many other countries in the region are suspicious of genetically modified foods, particularly concerning the health of consumers.

In recent weeks, press reports were saying that the United States was set to coerce African nations to accept genetically modified foods following the World Trade Organization (WTO)'s ruling that the European Union was breaking its rules by barring genetically modified food and seed entry into that region.

Earlier this month, Zimbabwe's National Economic Consultative Forum, in conjunction with the Biosafety Board of Zimbabwe, held discussion series on the implementation of biotechnology for enhancing agricultural output, which featured an American expert on the issue of genetic modification, Prof. Tom de Gregori.

The outcome of the meeting was inconclusive on whether the country is to change its stance on genetically modified foods.

Source: Xinhua

[Cornpone]

Why should they import genetically modified foods when they already have Robert Mugabe who claims to own the entire planet and therefore its entire gene bank? Robert Mugabe is the repository of all the genetic stock Zimbabwe needs or is capable of absorbing.

[LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget]

Let them eat cake.......

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Does any food that's "imported" to Zimbabwe, whether GM or totally organic, actually get to be EATEN by any of the starving people living there? *SIGH* Or is it still used as a bartering tool by Overlords?

What a moot point!

[Calpernia]

I now wonder if this is why their farms were eminent domained. Was it to force GM food sales?

Is this where NAIS is going?

[Calpernia]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1579642/posts
Who benefits from GM crops?

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1573646/posts
How do you say No NAIS in Japanese?

[garyhope]

I felt like saying that I couldn't care less, but it's no good (in simple terms) when one psychopath is responsible for the deaths of thousands or millions of innocent people.

Why is so much irrational insanity so rampant in so much of the world. Rhetorical question.

[Dog Gone]

With their inflation rate, they won't be importing food of any type. It hardly matters.

[KarlInOhio]

After carefully examining the Zimbabwean soil and weather, I have determined that it is possible for them to grow their own food. In fact, it would take an idiot to keep them from being the bread basket of Africa..., oh wait, they were before Mugabe.

[sarasmom]

My "giveadamn" is busted.

Is it time to let the third world riot and starve themselves out of human existance, and the human evolutionary chain?

Money and food does not help them, as evidenced by decades of liberal socialist applications and copious quantities of both.

Am I/we/the USA supposed to "solve the problem" now?

Do we get free reign?

[Calpernia]

Who will solve our problem if we don't give a damn? The same thing is being tried here.

[Waco]

"Modified" by Ma Nature. For eons, Ethyl. Don't look Ethyl!

[Calpernia]

"If we lose freedom here [in America], there is no place to escape to. This is the last stand on Earth."
- President Ronald Reagan
October 27, 1984

[sarasmom]

I (USA)can "fix" the problem with minimal collateral attrition rates.
Do I/we get free reign?

[Calpernia]

I'm sorry, I have no idea what you said.

[Shqipo]

The way things are going, they may end up stuck with non-modified Soylent Green. Someone needs to take a brave pill and off Mugabe.

[sarasmom]

I was part of his solution, then.

Want me back on the job, doing my bit to save the USA from all enemies, both foreign and domestic?

I'm game.
But this time around, I play by the written "rules of engagement" that mandates the slaughter of enemy foreign forces, puts domestic enemies in prison for sedition, and we declare martial law untill the end of the conflict.
If you are unwilling to support those ROEs, then you willingly accept the consequences of politically negotiated half-measures.
The blood of millions is now clearly evident on your hands, as opposed to mine.
Again, I am game for another round.
Are you?

[Calpernia]

What does, whatever you are saying, have to do with Monsanto trying to control the World food supply?