Latest Resources
7 February 2010
ACB’s Objection to Syngenta’s application for general release of GM maize GA21
On 13th of December 2009, Syngenta published a public notice of their intent to apply to the GMO Registrar for a permit for the general release of genetically modified maize, GA21. Having obtained a ‘non-confidential-business-information’ version of Syngenta’s application, it is our contention that the application cannot be adequately assessed. The information provided is sketchy […]
7 February 2010
Bilateral biosafety bullies: How corporations use bilateral trade channels to weaken biotech regu...
Across the world, the use of bilateral trade instruments to prise open markets for genetically modified (GM) crops is escalating. To expand business overseas, the biotech industry needs stronger intellectual property rules and weaker biosafety standards. Bilateral trade deals are an effective way to do this. This report looks specifically at how the world’s grain […]
5 January 2010
Status of de facto moratorium on GM commodity clearance/import applications in SA
The South African government has granted a large number of commodity import permits over the years, enabling millions of tons of GM maize, soya and canola to be imported into South Africa. However, during September/October 2005, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), a member of the Executive Council (EC): GMO Act, raised several concerns […]
17 November 2009
Ongoing Concerns about Harmonisation of Biosafety Regulations in Africa
The paper is a response to concerns raised by the African Union’s Biosafety Unit about assertions made in an earlier briefing in June 2009 regarding the African Union’s biosafety harmonisation processes. In this briefing the Ms Swanby on behalf of the ACB salutes the initiatives taken by the AU in the biosafety discourse on the […]
15 September 2009
ACB’S Objections to Syngenta’s application for field trials of GM Maize
Prepared for the African Centre for Biosafety by Dr William Stafford September 2009 Description of Application GA21 and Bt11xGA21 transgenic maize are genetically modified maize events. The Bt11xGA21 stacked maize was produced by the conventional breeding of individual GA21 and Bt11 transgenic events. GA21 maize produces a modified maize 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase enzyme (mEPSPS) that confers […]
8 September 2009
Biotechnology, seed and agrochemicals: Global and South African industry structure and trends
Biotechnology, seed and agrochemicals global and South African industry structure and trends. Click here to read the publication.
7 September 2009
Monsanto GM Canola objection
ACB’S OBJECTIONS TO MONSANTO’S APPLICATION FOR FIELD TRIAL RELEASE OF HERBICIDE-RESISTANT CANOLA (BRASICA NAPUS RT73) Prepared for the African Centre for Biosafety by Dr William Stafford September 2009. Read here.
28 August 2009
Objections to Syngenta’s application for commodity import of triple stacked maize
(Bt11xMIR162xGA21) Prepared for the African Centre for Biosafety by Dr William Stafford CONTENTS Read here.
10 August 2009
Pirating African heritage: the pillaging continues
The cases of suspected biopiracy are summarised and discussed in a few paragraphs. Patent numbers and/or application numbers are provided for each, as well as contact information for the entity or entities that have lodged the patent claims. Using the provided data, the full patent (application) text can be accessed online at patent websites, such […]
7 August 2009
South African GM grapevine trials to go ahead
The South African authorities have given the go-ahead to the Institute of wine biotechnology, based at the University of Stellenbosch, to conduct open-air field trials of grapevines genetically modified to resist fungal disease, despite the failure of fungal resistant grapevines in German trials seven years ago. Read more here.