The South African government has granted a large number of commodity import permits over the years, enabling millions of tons of GM maize, soya and canola to be imported into South Africa.

However, during September/October 2005, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), a member of the Executive Council (EC): GMO Act, raised several concerns about price distortions involving GM maize and its concomitant negative impact on South Africa’s trade in maize and maize products.

These concerns prompted the EC to take a decision not to grant any permits for applications involving new GM varieties, pending the outcome of investigations.

Read here.