Nairobi — Genetically modified foods are as safe as the conventional ones, but require more testing on long-term safety and the effects on the environment, a UN official has said in Nairobi.

Dr Terry Raney of the Food and Agriculture Organisation was yesterday addressing a regional forum on genetic engineering and genetically modified organisms and their effects on Africa's development.

She presented the findings of a study on GM foods conducted by the agency.

GM crops had the potential to benefit Africa's poor farmers if they gained access to them, she said.

The forum, sponsored by the International Development Research Council of Canada, brought together representatives of both sides of the GM crops divide on which direction Africa should take.

Dr Kwesi Attah-Krah of the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute said more than 300 million Africans would face malnutrition by 2010 if their countries did not address food security.

"Africa needs to be able to decide which way to turn, but this has been made even more complicated by the fact that the continent is hungry and badly needs food."

The director-general of the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), Dr Hans Herren, said GM crops eroded agricultural biodiversity.

"Food security is a complex issue in Africa and I disagree with the report that no effects in farmers' fields have been observed."