Did government accept GMO food in 2002?

The government which had previously rejected genetically modified food is reported to have accepted the food aid in 2002 but on condition that it would be quarantined to allow Zimbabwe’s agricultural scientists to closely monitor its shipment, milling and distribution in the country.

According to The Herald an understanding was reached between the government and World Food Programme whereby the WFP would inform Zimbabwe when it would be bringing in the food.

As part of the agreement, the WFP was to increase its monthly food imports into Zimbabwe from 10 000 tonnes to 55 000 tonnes.

Full cable:

Viewing cable 02HARARE2039, GOVERNMENT PAPER REPORTS ZIMBABWE WILL ACCEPT

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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS HARARE 002039

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/PD, AF/S, AF/RA

NSC FOR JENDAYI FRAZER

LONDON FOR GURNEY

PARIS FOR NEARY

NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER

E.O. 12958: N/A

TAGS: PREL PHUM KPAO KMDR ZI

SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT PAPER REPORTS ZIMBABWE WILL ACCEPT

BIOTECH FOOD AID

¶1.   According to a front-page, above-the-fold report

in the September 6 edition of the government-owned

Herald, President Mugabe has ruled that Zimbabwe will

accept food aid that may contain biotech products.

However, the President added that that such food relief

will be subject to special shipping, milling and

distribution requirements.

¶2.   Under the banner headline “GM Food aid gets nod:

Conditions for imports set; Shipment to be quarantined”

the government-controlled daily “The Herald” (09/06)

carried the following story:

¶3.   “The government, which previously indicated it

would reject genetically modified food, yesterday

(September 5) announced it will accept the food aid but

on condition that it will be quarantined to allow

Zimbabwe’s agricultural scientists to closely monitor

its shipment, milling and distribution in the country.

. . However, an understanding was reached yesterday

between the government and World Food Program (WFP)

whereby the WFP will inform Zimbabwe when it would be

bringing in the food. The UN food agency will also

import non-GMO maize, beans and other foodstuffs. . .

A UN humanitarian assistance team, led by WFP director

Mr. Tim (sic) Morris, held separate meetings with

President Mugabe, the Minister if Finance and Economic

Development, Herbert Murerwa, and the Minister of

Public Service, Labor and Social Welfare, July Moyo

yesterday. As part of the agreement, the WFP will

increase its monthly food imports into Zimbabwe from

10,000 tons to 55,000 tons. The food is going to be

shipped through East London and Durban in South Africa

and Maputo and Beira in Mozambique. . . The President

said the government was going to cooperate with the WFP

and everybody who wants food would be fed regardless of

the color of their skin, religious or political

persuasion. `We don’t go that far with our politics,’

he said. . . .”

SULLIVAN

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