INTEVENTION MADE BY MR. MODEST MERO MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE
UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA MADE AT THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL
PREPARATORY MEETING FOR CSD 17 MEETING
27TH FEBRUARY 2009
Madam Chair,
Thank you for giving me the floor my delegation align itself to statement made by Republic of
Sudan on behalf Group 77 and China.
Madam Chair,
I have a comment directed to the presentation made by Prof. Collier on GMOs.
My delegation understands that the main argument for GMO among others is to increase Food
production and food varieties to feed ever increasing population in the world. In principle this
notion is agreeable.
My delegation wish to disagree that it is foolish not to adopt GMO?s in our agriculture on the
basis of the reason that we copied this position from Europe.
Madam Chair,
Scientifically GMOs are usually genetically engineered and are also a weak genotype that can
also wipe out crop varieties that constitute a genetic pool for crops in question.
My delegation believe that adoption of GMOs if not well managed could also raise the costs of
inputs as well as those of acquiring GMO seedling varieties of which poor people cannot afford.
We will always consider GMOs on the basis of its feasibility and sustainability in our agriculture
system.
I thank you madam chair.
