Zimbabwe Lifts Ban on GM Corn Imports
February 5, 2020| |
Zimbabwe has lifted its ban on genetically modified (GM) corn import for the first time in 12 years. The southern African nation has allowed imports of GM corn to avert famine while battling its worst drought in 40 years.
While no official announcement has been made, officials claim that Zimbabwe has previously allowed GM corn imports from South Africa, but the grain is carefully quarantined and milled into cornmeal, a national staple. Currently, cornmeal which is used to make the staple food in Zimbabwe known as sadza, is in short supply across the country. Zimbabwe is in the midst of its worst drought and corn harvest is expected to plunge by more than half this season and there is a likely supply deficit of between 800,000 tons and 1 million tons.
Jannie de Villiers, chief executive officer at Grain SA said that Zimbabwe only imports non-GM corn not because of food safety concerns, but due to seed safety concerns. "They do not want to be dependent on seed from multinational companies," de Villiers added.
For more details on this developing story, read the article in Time.com.
| |
You might also like:
- Zimbabwe's Biosafety Authority Calls for More Awareness on Biotech
- Poultry Farmers Call to Lift GM Corn Import Ban in Zimbabwe
- Farmer Leader Calls for Bt Cotton Trials in Zimbabwe
Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.
-
See more articles:
-
News from Around the World
- Zimbabwe Lifts Ban on GM Corn Imports
- Farmers in North Western Uganda Upbeat about Disease Resistant GM Cassava
- BTI Scientists A Step Closer to Chilling Tolerant Corn
- Genetically Engineered Gut Bacteria Boost Honey Bees' Immunity, Limit Pathogens
- Cuba Produces Biotech Sweetener
- EPA Regulatory Review: Glyphosate Has No Human Health Risks
- New Video Series Highlights Clamor of Filipino Farmers for Bt Eggplant
- Genetically Engineered Moth Open Field Tests Reported As A Success
-
Research Highlights
- Scientists Improve Antioxidant Content of Maize
-
Plant
- Experts Develop a Simple and Efficient Cloning System for Genome Editing in Rice
-
Read the latest: - Biotech Updates (April 17, 2024)
- Gene Editing Supplement (April 10, 2024)
- Gene Drive Supplement (February 22, 2023)
-
Subscribe to BU: - Share
- Tweet