JCTR Press Release: 29th July 2002

29th July 2002

ZAMBIA SHOULD NOT BE PUSHED INTO ACCEPTING GMO MAIZE: OVERALL IMPACT ON AGRICULTURAL SECTOR MUST BE EXAMINED

The challenge of balancing short term food problems with long term agricultural problems is an urgent concern for Zambia today. Government is acting wisely and courageously in the face of this challenge by slowing down its acceptance of GMO maize, say two Zambian organizations concerned with poverty and agricultural issues.

In a joint statement from the Kasisi Agricultural Training Centre (KATC) and the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR), the risks associated with accepting genetically modified relief maize into the country is highlighted in terms not only of health concerns but also of serious impact on the infrastructure of Zambian agriculture.

“The Zambian government must not give in to the pressures exerted by offers of GMO maize before adequate study is done and effective precautions taken,” states Paul Desmarais, director of KATC.

Because the focus of KATC’s work is with small scale farmers, Desmarais is aware of the need to empower these farmers – the producers of the bulk of Zambia’s food crops – to produce sustainably. This means promoting a farming system that uses low external inputs and makes greater use of natural resources found at farm level, including seed.

The present food shortage situation in Zambia and other parts of this region must not be dealt with in ways that will give rise to even greater problems in the future. Much more in-depth examination by government officials, Members of Parliament and civil society is required.

According to a study jointly undertaken by KATC and JCTR, the possible introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into the country has many serious risks that must be thoroughly investigated before any decisions are taken. Mrs. Bernadette Lubozhya, an agro-scientist conducting this study, cautions that genetically modified crops are likely to bring many long-term problems, including:

Lower yields, increased herbicide use, erratic performance and poor economic returns to small scale farmers.

Loss of European markets for Zambian products such as fresh flowers, fruit and vegetables, tobacco, coffee and organic products, because the EU bans GMOs.

Potential environmental problems such as insect resistance, contamination of wild plant relatives to our domesticated crops, greater use of chemicals, less bio-diversity, and harmful mutations that can cause diseases.

Dominance of corporate monopoly (corporate farms, many with international connections) over food production, which drives family farmers to destitution (as evidenced in the North America).

Negative impact on informal seed sub-sector, which supplies 85% of planting seed to the 75% of the farming community in this country.

Diversion of the very essential emphasis on sustainable agriculture that guarantees future household food security.

Another concern, according the Mrs. Lubozhya, is that some GMO crops that might come to Zambia have been modified in a manner that makes them more dependent on pesticides. She cites the example of the use elsewhere of Roundup Ready soybeans, which are dependent on Roundup herbicide. Both the seed and the herbicide are owned by the same corporation.

It is the overall impact on the infrastructure of the agricultural sector in Zambia that must be looked at in this debate on importation of GMO maize. Concern about the health consequences of consumption of GMOs is certainly valid, but is also not the only point at issue at this moment. For officials from the United States to say that they have eaten GMOs without bad effects is certainly no argument at all for ready acceptance of GMOs into Zambia.

“We currently have no capacity to evaluate, monitor and sustain the health risks posed by GMO products,” says Mrs. Lubozhya, “at the very moment that the global market is pushing for healthier food products.”

Peter Henriot, JCTR Director, strongly commends the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Mundia Sikatana, for acting in a responsible fashion at a very difficult moment. “Stating that Zambia has to prudently evaluate the current offer, especially in the light of discussion of a National Biotechnology and Biosafety Policy, is a very positive stance that we endorse.”

There is an OAU African Model Legislation that could be very helpful for Zambia to follow as it writes it Biosafety Policy. The African Model protects the rights of local communities, farmers and breeders, and provides for regulation of access to biological resources.

As extremely serious as is the food shortage today, it could be even more serious tomorrow if we blindly accept GMOs that have the potential to undermine Zambia’s sustainable agricultural infrastructure.

KATC and JCTR call upon Cabinet and Parliament to seek wider advice in reaching decisions associated with GMOs coming into Zambia. “This is extremely important for the majority poor of the country.”

Other Press Releases