South Africa to Allow U.S. GM Corn Imports for First Time

South Africa approved imports of genetically modified corn from the U.S. for the first time after its worst drought since records began 104 years ago cut local output. Local white corn prices fell. The nation will allow both white and yellow GM corn from the U.S. to be brought in, Dirk Kok, a spokesman for the secretariat of the Pretoria-based South African Cereals and Oilseeds and Trade Association, said in an interview on Monday. A call to the government’s Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries media department wasn’t answered.“The door is open to imports from the U.S.,” said Kok, whose organization represents grain and oilseed traders. Local “prices will come down,” he said.