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ADDRESSED TO THE SOUTH AFRICAN DELEGATION ATTENDING THE FIRST MEETING OF THE PARTIES TO THE CARTAGENA PROTOCOL ON BIOSAFETY, KUALA LAMPUR, MALAYSIA, 23 -27 FEBRUARY 2004. STOP ALL TRADE IN GMOS NOW! IMPLEMENT THE BIOSAFETY PROTOCOL NOW! While we are aware that South Africa acceded to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (Biosafety Protocol) on the 8th August 2003, we note with disquiet that the South African government has to date, failed to implement the Biosafety Protocol. Instead, it has preferred to conduct its trade in genetically modified organisms (GMOs) with its usual 'business as usual' fervour, namely, expeditious authorisations under its Genetically Modified Organisms Act (No 15 of 1997) in secret and without proper biosafety oversight. Adding insult to injury, the South African government, during November 2003, the same month the Biosafety Protocol became binding on South Africa, brazenly authorised the import of 40 749 kg of genetically modified (GM) maize from Argentina; 40 000 kg of GM maize from the United States and 20 000 MT of soya beans from Argentina. Furthermore, during January 2004, it authorised the import of a whopping 356 310 MT of GM maize from Argentina. South Africa, the 'economic engine of Africa', imports large quantities of GM food and feed. During the period January-June 2003, it authorised the import of 124 874 tons of maize from Argentina. During September-October 2003, 14 535 MT of soyabeans were imported from Argentina. Uruguay, a new entrant in the global GM commodities market, exported 31 836 MT of GM maize during May 2003 to South Africa. These are but a few examples. This conduct on the part of the South African government is unacceptable, particularly since the authorisation procedures under South Africa's GMO Act are largely modelled on the sub-standard U.S government's voluntary system, where the genetic engineering corporations submit their own safety test procedures for their products. We are equally outraged at the veil of secrecy that envelops the trade in GMOs in South Africa, which locks the public out of the process completely. As a Party to the Biosafety Protocol, South Africa is engaging in the trade in GMOs in a manner contrary to the objectives, principles and provisions of the Biosafety Protocol, thereby placing its population and biodiversity at risk. This unfettered influx of GM imports onto the South African market has far-reaching socio-economic ramifications for South Africa's food security strategies. We especially remind the South African government that it is obliged in terms of Article 23(1)(a) of the Biosafety Protocol, to establish mechanisms for public participation such as public feedback and input into decision-making and regulatory processes relating to the trade in GMOs, its handling and use. We expressly point out that Article 23(2) of the Biosafety Protocol unequivocally establishes an obligation on South Africa as a Party to the Biosafety Protocol to: 1.. Consult the public in the decision-making process regarding GMOs; and 2.. Make the results of such decisions available to the public. In fact, the obligation to consult the public applies generally to all decision-making processes regarding GMOs, including the making of decisions on imports. It is deeply ironic that the South Africa government, while celebrating 10 years of democracy, is clandestinely promoting the trade in GMOs that does not enjoy the democratic buy-in from its citizens and where the implications of accepting these unwanted products have never been properly or transparently investigated. We reject with utter contempt, the South African government's kow-towing to the interests of transnational corporations dealing in GM crops and foods by its consistent undermining of transparent governance in the trade and use of GMOs. WE DEMAND THAT THE SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT: Stop all trade in GMOs with immediate effect and that a moratorium on such trade is imposed as a matter of urgency. Comply with the Biosafety Protocol and bring its biosafety legislation in line at a minimum, with the international safety standards established by the Biosafety Protocol and implement its Precautionary Principle. In particular, we demand the full implementation of Article 23 of the Protocol. Comply with the recommendation of the African Union Head of States Summit, Maputo, July 2003, that the African Model Law on Safety in Biotechnology be used a basis for biosafety regulation of GMOs. Implement the recommendations of the African Union's Expert Committee on Biodiversity, Biotechnology and Biosafety to work together with the African Group to resolve the outstanding issues still to be negotiated under the aegis of the Biosafety Protocol, especially the speedy establishment of a comprehensive and robust liability and redress regime. Cc: Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism: Mr Valli Moosa Minister of Land and Agriculture: Ms Thoko Didiza Minister of Health: Ms Manto Tshabalala-Msimang SIGNED Organisations African Centre for Biosafety Biowatch South Africa Co-operative for Research and Education Earthlife Africa, Johannesburg Earthlife Africa, Ethekwini Ecopeace Eco Hope Ekogaia Foundation Environmental Justice Desk, Justice and Peace Department, SACBC Dominican Sisters of St Catherine of Siena Health Encounters Herb Research Centre Organic World Permaculture Foundation of Western Cape Safe Food Coalition South African Freeze Alliance on Genetic Engineering (SAFeAge)-Steering Committee The Grail The Seven O' Clock Club Zululand Environmental Alliance Individual Endorsements Anthea Torr Professor Benjamin Cousins Programme for Land and Agrarian Studies University Western Cape David Hallowes Eleanor Rorich Ethel Ross Lee Cahill Carin Malan Nicci Ovendale Ruth Hall, Programme for Land and Agrarian Studies, University Western Cape Wray White Wendy Leeb (KNZ Legislature) Wilfred Bohm Dr William H.L Stafford, Advanced Centre for Applied Microbiology Willie Meyer ?? |
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