Zimbabwean Minister of State for Land Reform and Resettlement Didymus Mutasa has denied the press reports that the southern African country had started importing genetically modified foods from Argentina.

Mutasa said in a statement that "To be honest, I have never heard of that. They would have to consult with me but no one has done so. That policy (against unmilled genetically modified maize) is steadfast, we continue to maintain it. It has not been reviewed and the cabinet has not changed its position," he said.

Zimbabwe and many other countries in the region are suspicious of genetically modified foods, particularly concerning the health of consumers.

In recent weeks, press reports were saying that the United States was set to coerce African nations to accept genetically modified foods following the World Trade Organization (WTO)'s ruling that the European Union was breaking its rules by barring genetically modified food and seed entry into that region.

Earlier this month, Zimbabwe's National Economic Consultative Forum, in conjunction with the Biosafety Board of Zimbabwe, held discussion series on the implementation of biotechnology for enhancing agricultural output, which featured an American expert on the issue of genetic modification, Prof. Tom de Gregori.

The outcome of the meeting was inconclusive on whether the country is to change its stance on genetically modified foods.

Source: Xinhua