Letter to USAID

June 10, 2002

Mr. Andrew S. Natsios
Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development
Ronald Reagan Building
Washington, D.C. 20523-1000

Dear Mr. Natsios:

We are writing on behalf of our colleagues at the Bolivian Forum on Environment and Development (FOBOMADE), to inform you that a sample of USAID food aid sent to Bolivia has tested positive for the presence of StarLink genetically engineered corn. This is the same corn found to be contaminating the U.S. food supply in September 2000 resulting in nationwide recalls.

Based upon the identification stamped on the bag, the food aid lot number appears to be VEPE 00792 A BJ 0218. According to FOBOMADE, it was delivered originally to El Alto, Bolivia through the City Department of La Paz. The group acquired a sample of the 25 kg bag of corn soy blend in February 2002 and obtained DNA test results last week indicating the presence of StarLink.

StarLink was genetically engineered by the biotechnology company Aventis to contain a bacterial protein subsequently determined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to have "characteristics of known allergens." The corn has not been approved for human consumption since 1998. In July 2001, Stephen Johnson of the EPA Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances reconfirmed the agency's ruling, announcing that, "experts on allergenicity and food safety told us there was not enough data to conclude with reasonable certainty that there was an acceptable level of [StarLink corn] that people could eat."

If the shipment of food aid to Bolivia had been found on U.S. grocery shelves, it would be recalled under U.S. law in the interest of protecting public health. We therefore request that you recall food aid shipments containing StarLink corn and replace them with uncontaminated food aid. Consistent with the U.S. recall, our government should require Aventis to pay for any costs incurred by recalls and replacements, due to the company's violation of its agreement with the EPA to keep StarLink out of the food supply. Aventis should also assume financial liability to prevent USAID from expending resources that would otherwise be dedicated to its core mission.

We request a meeting with you to review the details of this disturbing finding and to discuss ways that USAID might avoid contamination of food aid in the future. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to arrange a meeting by calling 202-783-7400.

Sincerely,

Larry Bohlen
Director, Health and Environment Programs

cc: Congressman Tony Hall