Latest Resources
30 July 2021
Seed is power – Reclaiming African Seed Sovereignty: Africans speak out against corporate hegemon...
In rejection of the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS), which held its pre-summit this week, civil society, farmers groups and social movements came together for a global counter-mobilisation that spanned four days, with 15 online sessions. One of the webinars, titled Seed is power: Reclaiming African Seed Sovereignty, featured a presentation: Africans speak out […]
18 June 2021
Wandile Sihlobo’s technocratic support for GM and related technology misses the mark
Southern African civil society responds to false claims about benefits to food and nutrition security The African Centre of Biodiversity joins a collective of civil society organisations to endorse Glen Ashton’s calling out of chief economist of AgBiz, Wandile Sihlobo, on his May articles in Business Day and Project Syndicate, which promote the continued use […]
17 May 2021
Harmonisation of seed laws in Africa
Regional and continental integration under the auspices of the African Continental Seed Harmonisation (ACSH) initiative and the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACfTA) The African Union Commission (AUC)’s African Seed and Biotechnology Programme is undertaking a process developing Continental Guidelines for the Harmonisation of Seed Regulatory Frameworks in Africa. The ACB was able to access […]
18 March 2021
Objection to commodity clearance of Pioneer Hi-Bred RSA GM soybean DAS-814419-2 x DAS-44406-6
Despite the grave warnings of the COVID 19 pandemic and the increased need to de-colonise and de-corporatise our food systems and shift towards sovereignty, there continues to be an increase in the applications for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) of the 2,4-D variety, for introduction into the South African farming and food system. This trend is […]
10 March 2021
The next neocolonial gold rush? African food systems are the ‘new oil,’ UN documents say
On Tuesday March 9, the managing editor of U.S. Right to Know, Stacy Malkan published an article: The next neocolonial gold rush? African food systems are the ‘new oil,’ UN documents say. This article references the African Centre for Biodiversity’s reaction to the Regional Dialogue on African Food Systems, which took place at the Seventh […]
15 December 2020
End of 2020 wishes from the ACB
Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter. – Rachel Carson Dear ACB Friends and Family, As this unimaginable year […]
18 August 2020
Objection to commodity clearance of Corteva’s MON 89034 x TC1507 x MIR162 x NK603 x DAS-40278-9 m...
ACB’s objection to commodity clearance of Corteva’s MON 89034 x TC1507 x MIR162 x NK603 x DAS-40278-9 maize The COVID-19 pandemic shines a light exposing the fragility of South Africa’s unequal and unjust food system. A food system that continues to choose herbicides over health, and profit over people and our planet. Since the pandemic, […]
23 July 2020
ACB’s first newsletter: July 2020
Reflections midway through a tumultuous year Greetings from the ACB! We are happy to share with you our first newsletter. The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and ensuing flux has led to deep reflection, as we grapple with how to meet unprecedented challenges. And through the stringent lockdown, our agile and mostly young and women-led […]
20 July 2020
Corporate capture of seed Is jeopardising farmers sovereignty
In a film by Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung, ACB research and advocacy officer Sabrina Masinjila talks about the corporate capture of seeds and how laws favour hybrid seeds and not farmers who care for indigenous seeds. Watch here: https://youtu.be/kEqKDLv65dc
30 June 2020
Civil society statement on the South African Supplementary Budget
Implications for food security and land reform within a context of multiple crises See below for a link to the recording of an online media briefing. The Minister of Finance has announced an austerity budget at a time when the fissures of unresolved historical inequality, poverty and suffering are made so much sharper. The lives […]