U.S. government pushing GM crops on African countries
By vast
Published: October 4, 2018
Category: GMO News, The Organic & Non-GMO Report Newsletter
U.S. State Department and Trade officials are aggressively promoting acceptance of genetically modified crops in Ethiopia, South Africa, and Kenya, as boons to health and the hunger crisis. In fact, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer warned that the Trump administration would file cases in international forums protesting government restrictions on GMO imports that are not “science-based.”
Peter Haas, a State Department trade policy specialist, visited Ethiopia, a country ready to adopt GM crops; he will also push Kenya, which is conducting field trials for GM corn and cassava. Kenya is expected to begin cultivation of GM cotton next year, despite opposition from groups like the Kenya Biodiversity Coalition, worried about losing “sovereign control of their seeds.”
Kenya has produced GMO champions, including Harvard professor Calestous Juma, who died last year.
Haas claims GMOs can help solve hunger, improve health, increase yields, and contribute drought-resistant varieties; he insists that numerous U.S. and EU studies have proven that GMO products are safe.
Source: Business Daily
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