Latest Resources

3 February 2008

Objection to the Application made by Syngenta SA for Stacked GM Maize Permit

The African Centre for Biosafety submits these scientific objections in respect of he application for commodity import by Syngenta of its GM maize, MIR604xGA21. We have over the years made several submissions on various legal aspects concerning GM applications in South Africa and will not repeat these here. In addition, we note that the de […]

20 November 2007

Objection to VAXXITEK + IBD chicken vaccine

The application is for a genetically modified virus (GMO) to be used as a vaccine for chickens. Vaxxitek HVT + IBD is a live vaccine based on the turkey Herpesvirus (HVT) expressing the VP2 transgene from the Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV). The vaccine is indicated for the active immunisation of chickens to help prevent […]

15 October 2007

Objection to Monsanto’s GM Cotton Cry 1 Ac and Cry 2 Ab

Objection to Monsanto’s GM Cotton Cry 1 Ac and Cry 2 Ab Read more.

12 October 2007

The Appeal by ARC-IIC against the DOA’s refusal for a trial release of GM Cassava

The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Institute for Industrial Crops (IIC) submitted an application to the Directorate of Genetic Resources (DGR) within the Department of Agriculture (DOA) in 2006 for a trial release of genetically modified cassava. The African Centre for Biosafety (ACB) submitted its objections to the proposed trial release. On the 19th March 2007 […]

7 October 2007

Drug Companies Looting SA’s bounty of Medicinal Plants

The government has stepped in to save a tiny South African plant, pelargonium, from extinction after hundreds of tons were harvested for foreign drug companies, one of which has patented its use to fight HIV/Aids. Now traditional healers, who have used the plant for centuries, are trying to win back the patent which they claim […]

4 September 2007

ARC’s Appeal Against GM Cassava Ruling

A year ago, the African Centre for Biosafety and international NGO, GRAIN teamed up to oppose an application by the Agriculture Research Council (ARC) to conduct GM cassava field trials in South Africa. We put together comprehensive written objections to the application, strongly supported by a wide range of South African and international groups and […]

3 September 2007

Objections on Syngenta GM Maize GA21 and Bt11 x GA21

The African Centre for Biosafety has in the past (September 2004) submitted substantial objections to an application by Syngenta Seed Company in respect of an application for field trials involving its GM maize, GA21 (www.biosafetyafrica.net). These objections are already on record with the office of the Registrar: Genetically Modified Organisms Act, and ask that these […]

28 July 2007

Stealing South Africa’s Secrets…..

Pelargonium, a plant used in cold and flu remedies, has become a new battleground in the campaign to protect South Africa’s indigenous flora and traditional knowledge from bio-pirates. An interview with Mariam Mayet published by the Mail & Guardian written by Yolandi Groenwald on 15 January, 2007.

27 July 2007

Genetically Modified Organisms Amendment Act, 2007 (Act No 23 of 2006)

Amendment to the Genetically Modified Organisms Act, 1997, so as to give effect to the Protocol pertaining to genetically modified organisms. Read here.

20 June 2007

Objection to Genetically Modified Cotton Ll 25

Objection to Bayer Crop Science’s Application for Commodity Clearance of Genetically Modified Cotton Ll 25 Read here.