The Minister of health and social welfare, Dr. Motloheloa Phooko says the donations of Genetically Modified (GM) maize and other grains that are being currently distributed in the country are safe for consumption.

The Minister divulged this stance by the Government of Lesotho following claims made by other SADC countries, notably Zambia which said even though they are crippled with hunger they will not accept Genetically Modified foods.

At a press conference held before the departure of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General DR. Gro Harlem Brundlatland, Dr. Phooko said the issue of GM foods has been the subject of speculation during the WSSD summit which was recently held in Johannesburg, South Africa. He said GM foods have been used extensively in the US and they as Government are satisfied that the foodstuffs will go a long way in easing the lives of those who have been hit hard by famine in the country.

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare however made a stern warning for people not to use the maize for sowing purposes because the biodiversity of the country may be compromised. He said they would have preferred to have the maize milled had it not been due to high costs involved. Dr. Phooko however said,  plans are already underway to address the milling of maize before distribution.

Genetically Modified foods have long been the bone of contention in the political and environmental spheres. On the one hand, the argument has been that "green " biotechnology foodstuffs offer crops with higher yields, stronger resistance to pests and a greater nutritional value. The Pro-"green" biotechnology camp says they have provided new tools to achieve food security and they are part of a comprehensive and sustainable poverty reduction strategy.

On the other hand, the anti-"green" biotechnology camp says there is there is a growing evidence that GM foods contaminate natural stocks. They also argue that when consumed by humans, they make their bodies to be resistant to antibiotics.

Politically and economically speaking, the anti "green" biotechnology camp says G M foods are a trap to African farmers in a dependency cycle to make them entirely reliant on seeds, fertilizers and insecticides manufactured from the north.

Donations of GM maize and other grains have been flowing into most Southern African states  as a response to a  SOS message  following a spate of drought  and unusually high floods that dealt a severe blow to food reserves in Southern Africa. In Lesotho the Prime Minister, Mr. Pakalitha Mosisili declared  a state of famine in April, 2002   following a backlog of 220,000 metric tons of grains needed to feed 2.2 million people.

So far, it is reported that 6,125 metric tons  of food aid have been received. Distribution has already started in the three rural districts  of Mohale's Hoek, Quthing and Qacha's Nek.   

SOURCE: MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS: GOVERNMENT WEBSITE