Latest Resources

GM Sorghum: Africa’s Golden Rice

In this paper, we critically analyse the African Biofortified Sorghum (ABS) project, a GM ‘poster project’ in Africa. We dig beneath the veneer of the project being an “African led solution” to poverty and malnutrition on the continent. We also focus attention on the myriad of sorghum research initiatives currently underway in Africa, using both […]

Relief as Monsanto abandons GM canola in South Africa

The African Centre for Biosafety (ACB) is relieved to learn that Monsanto has withdrawn its application to conduct GM canola field trails in South Africa. GM Canola is predominantly grown in the USA, Canada and Australia. The global market for GM canola, used principally for cooking oils and animal feed, is estimated to be worth […]

Spoiling the Fruit of the Vine

South African GM Grapevine field trials to go ahead Press release: African Centre for Biosafety and Earthlife Africa eThekwini7 August 2009 South African authorities have given the go-ahead for open-air field trials of grapevines genetically modified (GM) to resist fungal disease, despite the failure of fungal resistant grapevines in German trials several years ago. The […]

ACB condemnation for Comesa’s draconian free trade policy on GMOs

“The African Centre for Biosafety (ACB) has been handed a document of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) titled ‘Draft Policy Statements and Guidelines for commercial plantings of GMOs, Trade in GMOs and Emergency Food aid with GMO content.” The Policy intends to undermine and displace more than a decade’s worth of […]

The race to own Africa’s sorghum genes!

The African Centre for Biosafety (ACB) today published a third research paper in its ‘Sorghum Series’ titled, ‘The Sorghum Gene Grab.’ The hunt for agrofuel and drought-tolerant crops has propelled a huge commercial interest in sorghum, including a spate of patent claims over different components of the sorghum genome. Patent claims have been lodged by […]

The Sorghum Gene Grab

A 16-page booklet by Edward Hammond. Read here. View the press release here.

Traceability, segregation and labelling of genetically modified products in South Africa: A Posit...

South Africa has promulgated national legislation, the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), which creates an opportunity for the mandatory labelling of certain foodstuffs containing or which are genetically-modified organisms (GMOs). The Act sets out a number of consumer rights that have relevance to the sale of products with genetically modified components. These include the right to […]

MINISTER DEFIES GM BODY AS GM CASSAVA FIELD TRIALS GO AHEAD IN SA

The African Centre for Biosafety (ACB) condemns the decision by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to allow GM cassava field trials to go ahead in South Africa. This despite SA’s GMO regulatory body rejecting such trials more than three years ago. The field trials involve cassava genetically modified to control starch content. On […]

Major breakthrough in the fight against biopiracy: Pelargonium patents

German pharmaceutical Schwabe announces withdrawal of 5 pelargonium patents The African Centre for Biosafety (ACB), the Berne Declaration (BD) and the Church Development Service (EED) welcome the announcement by Schwabe today that it will not pursue five pelargonium related patents granted to it by the European Patent Office EPO). Mariam Mayet, African Center for Biosafety […]

Media Advisory by EED, African Centre for Biosafety and the Berne Declaration

Pelargonium: EPO publishes grounds for Schwabe patent revocation (24.04.2010) The written decision setting out the grounds for the revocation of the Schwabe Pharmaceuticals Pelargonium Patent (EP02777223), has been published by the European Patent Office. As expected, the decision fully confirms the arguments presented by the Opponents during the hearing. The EPA reiterates its view that […]