Egypt bans trade in GM food

Egypt is banning food imports and exports that are not certified free of genetically modified products, state news agency MENA reported on Wednesday.

Agriculture Minister Amin Abaza "gave instructions... against the entry of any imports, especially wheat, corn and soya beans until samples of the cargo have been examined...in the absence of a certificate," it added.

The agency gave no further details.

Egypt is the most populous Arab country and one of the world's largest wheat importers.

GM crops are widely grown in North America, South America and China. Egypt approved the cultivation of genetically modified corn last year.