Latest Resources
18 July 2012
‘Agent Orange’ tainted GM maize given green light in SA
The African Centre for Biosafety (ACB) is deeply dismayed and shocked that the GMO decision-making body has given the green light for the importation of Dow Chemical’s highly controversial 2,4-D tolerant GM maize (variety DAS 40278-9) into South Africa, where it will be used as food. The variety has yet to be approved in the […]
20 March 2012
GMO Watchdog to Lodge Complaint
Press Release from the African Centre for Biosafety 20th March 2012 Following revelations that several common household food products contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs), the African Centre for Biosafety (ACB) has sought advice on its legal options. The ACB seeks to enforce the public’s right of access to information on the GMO content of food […]
12 March 2012
SA Biotech ‘Boom’ a flop for farmers, consumers
On the 9 March 2012, the chief lobbyist for the biotech industry, the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA), presented findings from its latest annual report to the media in Pretoria, South Africa. The ISAAA proudly proclaimed another boom year for genetically modified (GM) crops in South Africa and claimed that the […]
25 February 2012
African Civil Society calls on the African Union to ban genetically modified crops
An urgent appeal has been made to the African Union (AU) to discuss a ban on the cultivation, import and export of genetically modified (GM) crops in Africa at the next AU summit, to be held in January 2013. An African Civil Society Statement, signed by over 400 African organisations representing small-scale farmers, faith-based organisations, […]
15 February 2012
Unlabelled food tests positive for GM
OUTRAGE AS GM LABELLING LAWS FLOUTED IN SA The African Centre for Biosafety (ACB) is outraged that several food products, including baby cereal, maize meal consumed as a staple, a renown and heavily promoted dietary supplement for active sports people and wheat free cereal, have tested positive for GM- yet are all unlabelled. From the […]
24 October 2011
Bad News!! SA approves GM rice, barrage of new GM maize varieties for import
The South African GMO authorities have approved Bayer CropScience’s GM rice, Event LL62 for import into South Africa. LL62 has also been approved for commercial growing in the United States and for import into Canada, New Zealand and Australia. South Africa is a net importer of several varieties of rice, which it imports from around […]
21 August 2011
Activists win right to intervene in Pioneer/Panaar seed merger
FIRST STEPS TOWARDS ADDRESSING IMBALANCES IN FOOD SYSTEM IN SOUTH AFRICA The African Centre for Biosafety (ACB) welcomes the decision made by the Competition Tribunal on 19 August 2011, to allow the ACB to intervene in the merger proceedings involving multinational seed giant, Pioneer Hi Bred’s bid to take over South Africa’s largest seed company, […]
7 April 2011
Cautious welcome for mandatory labelling of GM food in South Africa
PRESS RELEASE FROM AFRICAN CENTRE FOR BIOSAFETY AND SAFEAGE 5 APRIL 2011, Johannesburg, and Cape Town, South Africa. The African Centre for Biosafety and SAFEAGE cautiously welcome the mandatory labelilng regime established by the regulations made in terms of the Consumer Protection Act for GM food. According to Mariam Mayet of the ACB, “the mandatory […]
31 January 2011
SANBI STUDY RAISES ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS WITH GMOS
The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), tasked by law, with monitoring the impacts of GMOs on the environment, has released its first report on 28th January 2011. The report co-produced by SANBI with premier biosafety unit, Genok in Norway and a number of South African universities record the findings of a three-year study on […]
20 January 2011
Label GM Food: Our Right to Know
Issued by ACB/SAFEAGE Attention: News Editors For Immediate Release Tuesday, 18 January 2011 The African Centre for Biosafety (ACB) and the South African Freeze Alliance on Genetic Engineering (SAFEAGE) have launched a nation-wide ‘Label GM Food: Our Right to Know’ campaign, to encourage the government to provide meaningful labelling for all genetically-modified (GM) foods in […]