DEVELOPMENT-SRI LANKA: Govt’ Bans Genetically Engineered Foods

By Feizal Samath Reprint | | Print |

Feizal Samath

COLOMBO, Apr 12 2000 (IPS) - Sri Lanka has joined a growing number of countries opposed to genetically engineered (GE) foods by imposing a ban on imports this week.

Chief food inspector in the Health Ministry, S. Nagiah told IPS that the decision was taken by the National Food Advisory Committee consequent to widespread reports concerning the safety of GE foods.

“A huge worldwide controversy has erupted over the safety of GE foods and we thought it was in the best interests of our consumers that we impose a ban till the controversy is sorted out and the picture is clearer,” he said.

Until then, all importers of food must get a letter or guarantees from top suppliers from the United States and other countries stating that the food is not GE or does not contain any GE components.

The bulk of Sri Lanka’s food requirements is imported from the United States and other European countries, where the GE controversy has led to strident calls for bans.

Last month, a coalition of more than 50 consumer, environmental, scientific, farm and heath groups including the Pesticide Action Network of North America filed a legal petition with the U S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) demanding pre- market safety testing for GE foods.

The coalition said it was concerned that GE foods are currently being sold or commercially developed without any government regulation such as pre-market safety testing or labeling.

The legal action aims to replace the FDA’s current voluntary and informal consultation guidelines on GE foods. An FDA spokesperson was quoted as saying the agency would review the petition and “carefully consider” it.

The FDA is still analysing some 25,000 public comments it received after a series of public hearings in November and December 1999 on genetically engineered foods, she said.

Dr. A.M. Beligaswatte, director-general of Sri Lanka’s health services said the prohibition of GE foods includes importation of raw materials as well as food using this new technology.

“We decided to impose this ban as we didn’t know the long term effects of these foods,” he said.

The list of foods to be banned are presently being studied by a sub committee of the Food Advisory Committee and would be released next month, he said. Violators would be referred to the Attorney General for punitive action.

‘We have not received any reports of GE foods existing in our stores right now, so the ban is more of a precautionary measure and to prevent GE food imports in the future,” Beligaswatte noted.

GE foods have genes transplanted from other species including, viruses and bacteria, and pose potential new and unknown health risks such as creation of new allergens, increased toxicity and altered nutritional levels.

But GE foods are already being used as ingredients in processed foods and are present in a number of mass-consumed food products from major soy-based baby formulas to some of the most popular brands of corn chips.

Local scientists say GE foods containing genes taken from other organisms make them resistant to herbicides or produce their own toxins to kill pests giving farmers a tremendous advantage.

While supporters of the new technology claim GE contributes to higher crop yields and lower production costs while opponents fear long-term health and environmental risks.

Over half the soya grown in the U S is genetically engineered and the European Community, once the largest importer, has rejected consignments from the U S on the grounds of possible genetic contamination.

Two years ago when the Indian government placed an order for one million tonnes of ‘blended’ soya from the U S there were protests from environment and food security activists in that country.

According to a World Watch Institute report, due to the decrease in the market for products using GE crops, the demand by farmers for planting these crops is likely to fall this year.

The signing of the Biosafety Protocol by 130 countries in January this year has made it more difficult for the spread of GE crops since the legally binding agreement requires clear labeling

and allows individual governments the right to stop import.

DEVELOPMENT-SRI LANKA: Govt’ Bans Genetically Engineered Foods

By Feizal Samath Reprint | | Print |

Feizal Samath

COLOMBO, Apr 12 2000 (IPS) - Sri Lanka has joined a growing number of countries opposed to genetically engineered (GE) foods by imposing a ban on imports this week.
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