THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2002

2002 World Food Program and USAID Send Genetically Modified Food Aid!

The Alliance for a Transgenic-Free Nicaragua on May 24th accused both the World Food Program and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) of using genetically-modified foods and seeds in their emergency relief programs in Nicaragua. The Alliance, a grouping of eight leading Nicaraguan environmental and other organizations which has the backing of powerful international environmental activist groups such as Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth International, based its accusations on tests carried out on samples taken from seed and food aid distributed in the Departments of Leon and Nueva Segovia. Going even further, the Alliance accused USAID in particular of experimenting with genetically-modified crops in some remote communities.

Amado Ordoñez, Director of the Alexander Von Humboldt Center and chairperson of the Alliance, said that not only had food aid samples tested positive for genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) in Nicaragua, but the disturbing discovery of the presence of certain “rogue” proteins had been confirmed by specialist laboratories in the United States itself.
A US Embassy spokesperson said emphatically, “We are not using genetically-altered seeds. Neither USAID nor any other agency is promoting or financing the distribution of such seeds within Nicaragua.” Embassy officials then proceeded to tell Nicaraguans how good transgenic food was. “Transgenic technology has the potential to increase food production, reduce pesticide use and, finally, produce safer and healthier food.” The Embassy accused members of the Alliance for a Transgenic-Free Nicaragua of making “unsupported and irresponsible declarations.”

Representatives of the World Food Program also issued “denials” which on close reading did not deny anything: “WFP's first priority in every one of the eighty-two countries where it works is, first and foremost, the health of the local population. We never distribute foods which are not fit for human consumption or which might damage people's health in any way. Everything we handle must have the required certifications which govern the international food trade. All our foodstuffs have met requirements which guarantee that they are free of disease.”

Ordoñez said that the Alliance for a Transgenic-Free Nicaragua had already presented its findings before the government Advocate for Human Rights and various committees of the National Assembly and is making formal denunciations against the World Food Program and USAID. He concluded by announcing that the Alliance was to meet with representatives of the United Nations during this coming week to lay the whole matter before U.N. officials.

The Nicaragua Network and Friends of the Earth coordinated the visit to Washington, DC, from June 2nd to 6th, of Victor Campos of the Humboldt Center and Ana Quiroz, of the Health Education and Information Center (CISAS), both members of the Alliance for a Nicaragua Free of Genetically Modified Organisms, to meet with members of the U.S. Congress and USAID on the issue of inclusion of genetically modified cereals in food aid to Nicaragua.

"It is unacceptable that the children of Nicaragua are consuming genetically modified products that come masked as food aid for our country," said Campos. Campos was supported by officials of Friends of the Earth who said that genetically modified foods have not been tested adequately to determine if they are safe for human consumption.
Many European countries forbid importation of any foods produced from genetically modified crops. Supporters of genetically modified foods say such scientific technology allows for the development of better tasting, more nutritious foods.

Campos was skeptical. "It is well-known that baby food companies in the United States and Europe do not use genetically modified products," he said. "Nevertheless, our highly vulnerable condition has been used as an opportunity to send us products that children in developed countries do not consume."

Nicaraguan alliance officials said they fear expanded use of genetically modified foods because it potentially could contaminate native crops. Campos cited instances in Mexico where species of corn native only to certain regions of Mexico have shown traces of genetically modified types.
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