GOVERNMENT COMMENDED BY KATC AND JCTR FOR CLEAR GMO STAND
21st AUGUST 2002
The Government of Zambia is to be strongly commended for its clear and far-reaching decision to reject the importation of GMO maize, according to two church-related NGOs that have been closely involved in the public debate.
The Kasisi Agricultural Training Centre (KATC) and the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) have called the stance of the Government “courageous” and urged that it fulfill its pledge to get the necessary relief food to hungry Zambians as quickly as possible.
In a study released last week by KATC and JCTR, the damaging impact of GMOs on sustainable agricultural was cited as the key reason for rejecting offers of this maize.
Ms. Bernadette Lubozhya, an agro-scientist who authored the study, argued that “GM crops will drastically and dangerously alter the future infrastructure of Zambian agriculture.” Particularly affected negatively would be the small-scale farmers who produce most of Zambia’s food.
The Government’s determination to press for a National Biotechnology and Biosafety Policy is a step in the right direction. This must be accompanied by the building of human and physical capacity to detect the introduction of GMOs into the country.
The commitment of the Government to hold widespread public discussions around this issue has been central to an educated civic society’s input into the decision. Consequently, KATC and JCTR call upon government to have wider debate on overall national agricultural policy for food security and sustainable development.
KATC and JCTR state that it is extremely important at this moment for donor countries and international institutions such as the World Bank and the IMF to respond positively to the Government’s decision and to increase the support so critically needed.
Home | Information | Activities | Updates | JCTR Bulletin | Networking | Cost of Living | Publications | Jubilee Zambia