Topic: F - Intellectual Property - Biodiversity
Author: Engineering News
Published: 02/03/2005
Region: South Africa
Genetically modified crops (GMO) crops were introduced to South Africa in 1997 and now account for approximately 20 to 30 percent of output. "Farmers are extremely enthusiastic about GMO," says Kobus Lindeque, area director for biotech giant Monsanto in Southern Africa. He claims that cotton yields have increased by as much as 50 to 70 percent, and since GMO crops have been introduced in South Africa, every company that has seeds has been sold out.
All African countries are not prepared to follow South Africa’s lead. They fear environmental damage and reduced exports to Europe. The European Union insists that all GMO products – which it terms “frankenstein foods” - be labelled. Zambia prohibits GMO imports, and other nearby countries, such as Malawi, Lesotho, Angola and Zimbabwe will only accept milled GMO maize products, banning the import of raw GMO maize. The general concern seems to be that “something might escape” according to Rob Tripp, research fellow at British aid think-tank the Overseas Development Institute (ODI).
Traders say South Africa's GMO status has made it more difficult to shift its three-million-ton maize surplus which is partly a product of better yields under GMO. WFP spokesman, Richard Lee, says if there are future serious regional shortages South Africa’s GMO crops might be a problem. In 2002/3, South Africa had a large surplus of white maize that was not GMO.
Anti-GMO countries say they fear the impact on human health and they are concerned about trade with the EU. Environmental groups such as Greenpeace and South Africa's Biowatch have lobbied African countries, pointing out that the world produces enough food to feed everyone. Land control issues, poverty and conflict are the main reasons for famine.
Nevertheless, it is tempting to introduce the drought- and insect-resistant GMO crops. Parts of Africa have chronic food shortages, with millions left malnourished and vulnerable to disease.
A few African countries are beginning to consider GMO crops. Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania intend creating new laws, and Kenya and Nigeria are looking at making their own GMO variants. Africa's cotton-producing countries in West Africa may move into GMO. For example, Burkina Faso and Mali have either already approved GMO crops for test planting or are assessing the possibility.
South African companies, such as Monsanto, say they will not sell to countries that do not have bio safety laws, but that seems unlikely in Africa in the near future.
Source: Engineering News
