Genetically Engineered Plants

Kenyans protest against GM maize

Hundreds of people have marched in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, against government plans to import genetically modified (GM) maize.

They were protesting at reports that Kenya would lift its restrictions on GM crops following a recent drought, leading to maize shortages.

The demonstrators said they believed a shipment had already arrived and feared it could contaminate the soil.

Kenyan millers want to import cheap GM maize to cope with the shortages.

The BBC's Odhiambo Joseph in Nairobi says the protesters included farmers and environmentalists.

"The importation of GM maize is a ploy by leading millers to kill us - the small-scale farmer," protester Gacheke Gachihi said.

The march was organised by the African Biodiversity Network and the Unga Revolution.

They wanted it destroyed or sent back, the protesters said.

The chairman of the Kenyan parliament's agriculture committee, John Mututho, confirmed to the BBC that the GM maize was at the port.

He said he would lead a delegation of parliamentarians to Mombasa next week to inspect the consignment.

"We are totally opposed to this toxic product," Mr Mututho said.

The Kenyan government approved a law last year to import GM products.

However, this was subject to the state-run National Biosafety Authority (NBA) giving its go-ahead.

Kenya is facing an acute maize shortage, caused by a prolonged drought.

Millers have been lobbying the government to allow them to import GM maize, saying it would help end the shortage and lower prices.

"GM maize is cheaper by about 30% compared with non-GM maize," Diamond Lalji, the chairman of Kenya's Cereal Millers Association, told Reuters.

The government recently dropped tariffs on maize imports in order to curb a sharp rise in prices.

African countries have been under pressure from the pro-GM lobby, led by the US, to grow GM crops to reduce hunger.

South Africa farms GM maize, but there is strong resistance to it in many other African countries.

Supporters of GM crops say they boost production and require less fertiliser and pesticides.

Opponents say more scientific data is needed, arguing that their long-term genetic impact on humans and wildlife could be harmful.

In 2002, Zambia rejected GM food aid in the midst of a food crisis affecting some three million people.

Farmers fight genetically modified crops | Voices of Central Pa

This Roundup Ready Corn, grown on a Centre County farm, can withstand sprayings of the broad-spectrum herbicide glyphosate. Both the corn and the herbicide Roundup are produced by Monsanto. Photo by Danyel Woodring

by Lucy Bryan Green

Amos King’s vision for starting Green Acres organic dairy originated in 1995. Suffering from health problems, he visited a “natural doctor,” who recommended “breaking away from harsh chemicals and processed food.” The change in his diet caused a steady improvement in his health, and he felt inspired to give others access to organic food.

It took a decade for King and his wife to save enough money to buy the 60-acre farm in Aaronsburg that now houses their 35 dairy cows, bee hives and a small community supported agriculture (CSA) operation—all of which are certified organic.

“I just like to farm the way that I feel is right,” King said. “Over the years, my conscience has been telling me that I am responsible for the health of the [people] that consume food off my farm.”

But King’s ability to provide consumers with organic milk, honey and vegetables may be in jeopardy. He said he has seen his neighbor spraying herbicide on corn, soybeans and alfalfa fields—which has led King to believe those crops are the Roundup Ready varieties, genetically modified to withstand application of the herbicide glyphosate.

King said that even though he has installed the 25-foot buffer strips required by Pennsylvania Certified Organic to prevent herbicides from drifting onto the rye, clover, sorghum and alfalfa fields where he grazes his cows, he is still worried about protecting his operations.

“We have honeybees, and if they get on the [genetically engineered] crops, I believe the honey will be contaminated,” he said. “[But] there’s nothing I can do with conventional farmers as neighbors.”

Even more worrisome, according to King, is the possibility of his organic alfalfa fields being pollinated by Roundup Ready Alfalfa, a crop which the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved and deregulated this January.

“If we have GE alfalfa across the fence from us, it’s not going to keep the bees from fertilizing mine [with their pollen],” King said.

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