Genetically Modified Organisms Act, 1997 (Act No. 15 of 1997)

Genetically Modified Organisms Act, 1997 (Act No. 15 of 1997) By Shadrack R. Moephuli (Dr.) Registrar: GMO Act 14 April 2003

Challenges Facing South Africa • 16 % Arable land • Large rural sector, farming population, limited success of the green revolution • Increasing population = incr. Demand for food, reduced per capita natural resources • Urban growth = food security needs increase • Decline fish production • Increasing damage to ecological foundations (water, bio-diversity, climate and sea level)

Control Measures on GMO’s • GMO Act • NEMA • Biodiversity Bill • Cartagena Protocol on Biodiversity • National Biotechnology Strategy • Regulations on Labelling • International Undertaking on Genetic Resources • Convention for Biological Diversity

The Aims of the Act To provide for measures to promote the responsible development, production, use and application of genetically modified organisms (including importation, production, release and distribution) shall be carried out in such a way as to limit possible harmful consequences to the environment; to give attention to the prevention of accidents and effective management of waste etc…

Bio-Safety Structures • Executive Council • Registrar • Advisory Committee • Inspectors • Appeals • Regulations

Executive Council • DoA: Chair – Ms. N. Nduli • DoH: Deputy Chair – Dr. v. de Venter • DEAT: Member – Dr. G. T. Willemse • DACST: Member – Dr. J. Matjila • DTI: Member – Mr. J. v. d. Merwe • DoL: Member – Mr. L. Motshelanoka • DoA: Registrar’s Office

Powers and Duties of the EC • Approve, the use of or release of GMO’s and authorise the registrar to issue a permit accordingly • Advise the Minister on : • Prohibitions • Authorisation and exercise of control of imports • Development, production, use, application, release and distribution of GMO’s • Control measures taken in the event of an accident • Any other matter with regard to GMO’s • Appointment of members of the AC

Advisory Committee • Act as national advisory body on GMO’s • Advise, on request or of its own accord, the Minister, EC, Other Ministries and appropriate bodies on matters concerning GMO’s: • Introduction, proposals for activities, contained use, importation and exportation of GMO’s • Invite written comments from experts • Knowledgeable persons in those fields of science applicable to the development and release of genetically modified organisms • Two persons shall have knowledge of ecological matters and genetically modified organisms • Chairperson: Prof. Mbudzeni Sibara

CONCERNS THAT ARE EXAMINED • Farmers • Access • Sustainability • Benefit sharing • Human Health • Multi-drug resistance • Allergenicity • Environment • Weeds • Biodiversity

Approach/Response • Risk Assessments • Science based • Case by case approach • research • Risk Management • Conditional permits • Inspections • Monitoring and evaluation

Process of Regulation

CONCLUSION To satisfy the demand, requires higher yields per unit of land, water, energy and time. We need to determine how best to utilize modern biotechnology in raising agricultural productivity without adversely affecting our bio-diversity, human health and economic stability. However, we need to recognize that powerful new technologies require new policy choices. The National Biotechnology Strategy could provide the appropriate platform for such activity.

Genetically Modified Organisms Act, 1997 (Act No. 15 of 1997)