BRUSSELS - Tony Hall, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations food agencies, was cited as telling reporters that African leaders who refuse to accept food aid due to fears of genetically modified products are committing crimes against humanity and should be put on trial, and that Europe, which has effectively banned the development and import of new genetically modified crops, should do more to help millions of people facing famine in southern Africa and reassure them over the safety of such crops, adding, "People that deny food to their people, that are in fact starving people to death should be held responsible...for the highest crimes against humanity in the highest courts in the world.

The EU has made some great statements (on the safety of GM food), at the same time there are people who have thrown a lot of doubts, who have been neutral. We cannot be neutral on this issue...We need strong statements. We are beyond this discussion (on GM) here."