Malawi
Milling GM food aid costs Malawi US$ 20 million

Misanet.org / The Nation, 11 September - As most of the food aid arriving Malawi is of US origin, and therefore without guarantee of being without genetically modified (GM) grains, it needs to be milled before it is distributed. This will cost the poverty-ridden country an extra US$ 20 million, the government disclosed. 

- Government will require US$ 20 million (K1.56 billion) to mill genetically modified (GM) maize expected from the United States government as part of the humanitarian food aid, Malawi's President Bakili Muluzi said yesterday.

The president was speaking at state lodge in Lilongwe during an audience with United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan's special envoy for the humanitarian crisis in southern Africa, James Morris.

GM food is currently only allowed in the US and Canada, but most southern African countries have allowed the distribution of GM food aid as long as it is milled. There are concerns that unmilled grains may be used for sowing, thus contaminating local breeds. Zambia still totally refuses to accept food aid that is not certified of being GM-free.

In Malawi, President Muluzi further told Morris that information indicates that Malawi's milling companies have the capacity to mill 20,000 metric tonnes per month. The US government is expected to give the country 73,000 tonnes. Another 20,000 tones already arrived in the country.

Morris, who leaves the country today after a three-day visit to assess the food situation, assured the president of UN's support to ensure that the country receives enough humanitarian food aid. "We'll work hard to support you," he said.

Malawi requires 208,000 tones of humanitarian food aid. So far 20,588 tones of food items have been distributed since May and the amount of food in stock at the moment is estimated at about 13,000 tones. The quantity expected mid this month is about 12,4000 tones and the one confirmed to arrive by the end of the year is about 71,985 tones, leaving a gap of about 90,000 tones.

The UN envoy also discussed with the president HIV/Aids epidemic, feeding programmes in schools and possible cholera outbreaks as a result of the food shortage. Vice President, Justin Malewezi and Agriculture Minister Aleke Banda were among the officials who attended the discussions.

Sources: Based on an article by 'The Nation' (Malawi)

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