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 […]

ACB’s Submissions to the SA’s govt’s position on International Liability and Re...

Concerns with South Africa’s Biotechnology Strategy Detailed comments on draft operational text Preferred Options. Read here.

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% […]

Public Participation in context of Patent Laws in South Africa

The African Centre for Biosafety (ACB) has only recently commenced its work in the fi eld of bioprospecting and biopiracy. A booklet as part of our Biosafety, Biopiracy and Biopolitics series titled, “Bioprospecting, Biopiracy and Indigenous Knowledge: two case studies from the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa” by Koyama and Mayet, has been published. In […]

ACB Submission on Bioprospecting & ABS Draft Regulations, 2007

SUBMISSIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM ON THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: BIODIVERSITY ACT, 2004: REGULATIONS ON BIOPROSPECTING, ACCESS AND BENEFIT SHARING. Read here.

ACB Submission on IPRs from Publicaly Funded Research Bill, 2007

Currently, South African intellectual property legislation is highly fragmented, a situation that gives rise to a number of gaps and anomalies that undermine the rights of indigenous people. “Indigenous people” is not clearly defined by NEMBA or it Draft Regulations except to refer to such people as residing in a defined geographical area to which […]

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 […]

Submission on the Draft Biofuels Industrial Strategy

By: Earthlife Africa eThekwini Branch – African Centre for Biosafety – GRAIN – SAFeAGE – Ekogaia -The Third World Investment Gateway Trust To: Department of Minerals and Energy 31 March 2007 Read submission here.

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 […]