Latest Resources

South Africa, Bioethanol and GMOs: A Heady Mixture

On the 12th of May 2006 Syngenta South Africa (Pty) Ltd, a subsidiary of Swiss chemical giant Syngenta, notified the public of its intention to seek commodity clearance for its GM maize for the use in the production of ethanol. This is the first GM application for commercial approval in the world for a non-feed, […]

The status of Genetically Modified (GM) pharmaceutical crop research in South Africa

Genetically modified (GM) pharmaceutical crops are crops which have been genetically engineered / modified to produce pharmaceuticals. These pharmaceuticals can be vaccines, anti-bodies or therapeutic proteins. Pharma-crops (as they are known) are a contested and little-known terrain, with remarkable benefits being claimed for them in South Africa. Other voices ask about the contamination of the […]

South Africa – GM Food Labelling Regulations

Why Do We Need To Label Genetically Modified (gm) Food Products? Facts For South African Consumers African Centre for Biosafety, Feb 2006. Read here. Critical Analysis Of South Africa’s Labelling Regulations For Genetically Modified Food, Feed And Products Derived From Gm-fed Animals Mariam Mayet, Oct 2004. Read here. Regulations Relating To The Labelling Of Foodstuffs […]

The Long, winding road to a Biosafety Protocol – a South African view

At the negotiations for the Biosafety Protocol in Cartagena, the South Africa government surprised critics by displaying a maturity and understanding of the issues and concerns facing developing countries on the question of genetically engineered organisms. This in spite of attempts by the ‘Miami group’, a negotiating group representing the largest producer nations of biotechnology, […]

Biohazard Map of GM Field Trials in SA

Now that the dust is settling after industry’s aggressive PR hype about the unsubstantiated increase in South Africa’s GM commercial plantings for 2006, we bring to you, based upon empirical data, a short briefing paper on the field trials of GMOs grown in South Africa during 2006, compiled by ACB researcher, Rose Williams. This briefing […]

Bt-Maize 1507 x 59122 x NK 603 / Dow Agrosciences

SUBMISSION OF OBJECTIONS BY THE AFRICAN CENTRE FOR BIOSAFETY (ACB). OBJECTION TO APPLICATION BY DOW AGROSCIENCES TRIPLE STACKED GM MAIZE, EVENTS, 1507 x NK603 x 59199. Read objection here. OVERVIEW The African Centre for Biosafety (ACB) has to date, lodged objections to the following applications by Dow Agrosciences for commodity import clearance: – GM Maize […]

Roundup Ready Flex Cotton / Monsanto

SUBMISSION OF OBJECTIONS BY THE AFRICAN CENTRE FOR BIOSAFETY (ACB) OBJECTION TO MONSANTO’S APPLICATION FOR GENERAL RELEASE OF GM COTTON RR FLEX African Centre for Biosafety, Dec 2005 Read here. Summary The application is for a general release permit to allow the commercial sale and growing of a new transformation event MON88913, also known as […]

Bt-Maize MON89034 and MON89597 / Monsanto

SUBMISSION OF OBJECTIONS BY THE AFRICAN CENTRE FOR BIOSAFETY (ACB) Objections To The Application Made By Monsanto South Africa For A Permit For A Trial Release Of Mon89034 And Mon89597 African Centre for Biosafety, 01 Oct 2005 OVERVIEW DEVELOPER (MONSANTO) APPLICATION: AVAILABLE INFORMATION The dossier supplied by Monsanto is designated Non Confidential Business Information (Non-CBI). […]

Zambia – GMO Legislation

INTRODUCTION The Draft Labeling Standards are non-binding in the sense that they do not create legally binding obligations and responsibilities. As such, they are also not legally enforceable. The lack of teeth of the standards is not cured by the fact that the Zambian Bureau of Standards, a statutory body, produces the standards. However, the […]

Sugarcane with altered sugar metabolism & new promotor elements (SARSI) / SARSI

Sugarcane with altered sugar metabolism & new promotor elements (SARSI) / SARSI Objection To The Application By Sasri In Respect Of A Trial With Gm Sugarcane, To The National Department Of Agriculture, South Africa. Read here. SCIENTIFIC ASSESSMENT BACKGROUND Application by SASRI and Available Information An application has been made by the South African Sugarcane […]