Latest Resources

New GM Potato Book: Executive Summary

In 2001, the South African Agricultural Research Council (ARC) began conducting field trials with potatoes genetically modified to contain a Bt gene Cry1Ia1 (formerly BtCryV). This novel gene is intended to protect the plants and potato tubers from infestations of the Potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella). This research is not home grown or ‘truly South […]

South Africa’s Biofuels Strategy: greenwashing agribusiness interests

The impetus for the establishment of a biofuels industry in South Africa also came from industry lobbyists under the banner of the Southern African Biofuels Association (SABA). Consequently, the South African government published a feasibility report and a draft Biofuels Industrial Strategy in 2006, which proposed the establishment of a mandatory bioethanol target of 8% […]

NGO Statement on an international regime on ABS

NGO Statement on an international regime on ABS. Read here.

World Bank Projects on Biosafety Harmonisation

In Burkina Faso, Benin, Togo, Mali, Senegal A disclaimer addressed to the attention of GEF CEO and GEF council members by the Coalition for the Protection of African Genetic Heritage (COPAGEN). Read more here.

Rural Communities Express Dismay: “land grabs” fuelled by Biofuels Strategy

More than sixty people met in Durban on March 5th 2007, to discuss the South African government’s Draft Industrial Biofuels Strategy, which is open for public comment until the end of March. The undersigned NGOs, individuals, farmer organisations and rural communities from KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Limpopo and Mpumalanga who attended the workshop, express our extreme […]

ACB ALERT: Spate of New GM Experiments in SA

ACB ALERT: NEW GM EXPERIMENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA, JULY 2007 It is with extreme disquiet that the African Centre for Biosafety notes the recent spate of new applications for GM experiments in South Africa, see below. We are extremely concerned that our government has laid our country open to the wholesale experimentation involving a whole […]

Interrogating GMO Decision-Making: Critique of GMO Permit Applications in South Africa 2004-2007

This book aims to give insight into the role a public interest NGO can play, the context within which participation can happen, the breadth of GMO applications, the institutions involved, the trends developing and the tremendous range of issues that have to be grappled with. Title: Interrogating GMO Decision-Making: Critique of GMO Permit Applications in […]

IMIPHAKATHI YASEMAPHANDLENI IBEKA IZWI LAYO NGENTUKUTHELO YO: KUPHUCWA IMIHLABA EHLONGOZWA AMASU EBI

Emva komhlangano obeseThekwini ngomhlaka 5 March 2007 obuhanjelwe abantu abangamashumi ayisthupha, mayelana nepulani elihlongozwa uHulumeni wase South Africa lamacebo okutshalwa kezihlahla zeBiofuel. Kwaba nezingxoxo ezinde mayelana naloku. Laba abasayine lapha abamele izinhlangano ezihlekene zamaNGO, izinhlangano zabalimi kane nemiphakathi ethintekayo kuloludaba ezifundeni zakwa Zulu-Natali, Empumalanga-Koloni kanye nase Mpumalanga beveza ukumangala okukhulu kanye novalo ngalamasu. Read more […]

Biofuels Africa Alert: Africa’s Biodiesel: Going Nuts

It is with extreme disquiet that the African Centre for Biosafety notes the recent spate of new applications for GM experiments in South Africa, see below. We are extremely concerned that our government has laid our country open to the wholesale experimentation involving a whole new range of GM applications, in a context where there […]

Uganda – GMO Legislation

INTRODUCTION During 2001, Uganda embarked on a national agricultural biotechnology programme focusing on the several transformative biotechnology innovations, and genetic engineering (GE). This programme is linked to Uganda’s policy to eradicate poverty by 2015, described in its Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP). PEAP is Uganda’s overarching macro-economic framework, designed to transform Uganda into a modern […]