[Mb-civic] CBC News - GM FOODS PROBLEM FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

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GM FOODS PROBLEM FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
WebPosted Sun May 15 12:54:31 2005

geneva---Genetically modified (GM) crops pose a difficult choice for some
of the world's poorest countries, a United Nations study says.

Differing views on GM crops in the United States and the European Union
may force the countries to choose between higher productivity from such
crops, and the loss of scarce export opportunities.

That's because the U.S., the leader in growing GM crops, believes they
are safe, while the crops have been banned in some European countries
because of health concerns.

 CBC ARCHIVES: Genetically Modified Food The ban means poor countries
 with limited exports could find their crops rejected.

But if they allow GM crops to be grown at home, they may be able to
better feed their own population.

Both sides are trying to impose their views on poorer countries, said
Simonetta Zarrilli, who wrote the study for the UN Conference on Trade
and Development (UNCTAD).

So serious is the issue that "some African countries have refused food
aid containing GM materials," said Zarrilli.

Developing countries often depend heavily on agricultural exports and may
bend their domestic priorities to meet the demands of their main trading
partners. Angola, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe are among the countries which
have imposed import bans on GM products mainly because of possible trade
losses, she said.

GM farming is growing rapidly, with the area under cultivation increasing
47-fold since 1996 to 81 million hectares, UNCTAD said.

The U.S. accounted for 59 per cent of the total, Argentina was second
with 20 per cent and Canada and Brazil were next with six per cent each.

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