The UN Secretary-Generals special envoy for the humanitarian crisis in Southern Africa, Mr. James Morris released this joint statement, concerning donations of foods for use in Southern Africa, some of which contain genetically modified organisms, on behalf of the Directors-General of FAO, Dr. Jacques Diouf, and the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland and the World Food Programme at which he serves as Executive Director. The statement concludes: "The United Nations agencies involved will seek to establish a long-term policy for food aid involving GM foods or foods derived from biotechnology. The ultimate responsibility and decision regarding the acceptance and distribution of food aid containing GMOs rests with the governments concerned, considering all the factors outlined above. The United Nations believes that in the current crisis governments in southern Africa must consider carefully the severe and immediate consequences of limiting the food aid available for millions so desperately in need". See http://www.fao.org/english/newsroom/news/2002/8660-en.html (in English, French and Spanish) or contact [email protected] for more information.

06/10/2002