press release
world food programme and united states
denounced for the distribution of genetically
modified organisms in central america and the
carribean
A Genetically Modified Maize unauthorized
for human consumption, StarLink, found in
food aid distributed by the World Food
Programme in central america.
February 16, 2005. Managua, San Salvador,
San Jose, Guatemala, Tegucigalpa -- More than
70 environmental, consumer, farmer, human
rights groups and unions from six Central
American and Caribbean countries denounced in
simultaneous press conferences today the
presence of unauthorized Genetically Modified
Organisms (GMOs) in food aid distributed by
the United Nations World Food Programme
(WFP), and in commercial imports of food
originating mostly from the US.
The organizations requested the WFP to
immediatly recall all food aid containing
GMOs.
"The WFP by introducing food aid with GMOs
is placing at risk our children and pregnant
women, the most vulnerable people in our
society. The GMOs identified are not
authorized in our country and the World Food
Programme must immediately recall them", said
Julio Sánchez from Centro Humboldt in
Nicaragua. "In Nicaragua our farmers produce
enough food and the WFP should buy any needed
food within our country, instead of using
imported food with GMOs", added Sánchez.
In total over fifty samples of maize and
soy from food aid in Nicaragua, Honduras, El
Salvador, Guatemala, and from commercial
imports in Costa Rica and Dominican Republic
were sent to Genetic ID, an independent U.S.
laboratory, to verify whether GMOs were
present.
In more than 80% of all samples sent to
the laboratory GMOs were identified.
Food aid has been identified as the main
reason behind the presence of GMOs in
countries of the region. In Nicaragua,
Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala all
samples of food aid sent to the laboratory
tested positive for GMOs.
The presence of GMOs in the only sample in
which GM levels were tested, a bag from
Guatemala, was higher than 70%.
It is important to note that the
Genetically Modified maize illegal for human
consumption StarLink was for the first time
found in food aid distributed directly by the
WFP.
StarLink has never been authorized for
human consumption anywhere in the world due
to the potential allergenic content of its
genetically modified protein. This maize was
initially authorized for animal feed, but in
2000 it was found in human food products and
authorities spent millions of dollars to
remove it from the market and ban its
planting altogether.
Subsequently, it was found in Japan and
Korea and was also immediately recalled from
markets there. In 2002 it was also found in
USAID food aid sent to Bolivia.
"It is not acceptable that a maize which
is illegal for human consumption worldwide is
contained in food aid distributed in our
country. Finding StarLink four years after it
was banned clearly shows that genetically
modified foods are not under control", added
Mario Godinez of CEIBA in Guatemala.
Commercial imports of food containing
maize and soy mostly from the US were
monitored in Costa Rica and Dominican
Republic, countries which are not food aid
recipients. Over 75% of all samples sent to
the laboratory from there were positive.
"The unauthorized and unwanted presence of
GMOs clearly shows that Costa Rica urgently
needs a ban on GMOs. In order to protect our
population it is of utmost importance now
more than ever to act with great caution,"
said Fabián Pacheco of the Social Ecology
Association in Costa Rica.
more information
Nicaragua, Julio Sánchez, Centro
Humboldt-FoE Nicaragua, Tel: +505 250 6454 or
+505 843 7571, biodiversidad@humboldt.org.ni
(Spanish)
In Nicaragua, Juan López, Friends of the
Earth International, tel +393331498049
(Spanish, English, French, Italian) or
505-6269504 (today only)
In GuatemalaMariano Godinez, CEIBA-FoE
Guatemala, Tel: +502 7839 6033 or +502 7839
10 33 or +502 5718 28 40,
ceibauno@terra.com.gt (Spanish)
In El Salvador, Edith Campos, CESTA-FoE El
Salvador Tel: +503 220 3000,
cesta@cesta-foe.org (Spanish)
In Honduras, Francis Osorio, Madre
Tierra-FoE Honduras Tel: +504 237 5700,
atoldeelote@hotmail.com (Spanish)
In Costa Rica, Isaac Rojas, COECOCEIBA-FoE
Costa Rica, Tel: +506 399 7203,
gavitza@rasca.co.cr , y Fabian Pacheco, AESO,
Tel: +506 810 9999,
ecologismoprofundo@hotmail.com (Spanish,
English)
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