Latest Resources

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

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.

27 July 2007

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 […]

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 July 2007

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.

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.