Food importers in Sri Lanka who opened letters of credit (L/Cs) before a government ban on all types of genetically-modified (GM) food will be allowed to take delivery of consignments.

The importers had previously said that they would not be able to comply with the new restrictions. According to local media, the government granted the reprieve in fairness to importers who had already opened L/Cs before the surprise ban was announced in April.

Government inspectors will now check food entering into Sri Lanka and take firm action against imports that do not comply with tough restrictions. These apply to 21 different goods including whole and several products of soya beans, and certain products that commonly include soya bean derivatives.

Corn and maize and their derivatives are restricted, as are products containing either of these cereals. Tomatoes and foods in which tomato is an ingredient as well as foods containing cheese, potatoes, brewers and bakers yeasts, sugar beet and certain microbiological food cultures are also restricted.

Under the new regulations - which came into force on 1 May 2001 - importers must provide certification issued by the government of the exporting country that confirms that neither the imported food, nor the ingredients used in it, has been genetically modified.

The Sri Lankan health services have said that the ban will remain in place until worldwide concerns about GM foods are settled. Local consumer and environmental groups have welcomed the ban.

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