Genetically Modified Crops Commercialized in South Africa

Abstract

Genetically modified (GM) crops have been in commercial production in South Africa since 1997, when Bt cotton and maize were approved by an advisory committee acting under interim legislation. The Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Act was passed in 1997, but only implemented in 1999. The Act was modified in 2006 to bring it into line with the requirements of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The area planted to GM crops has steadily increased, with the majority of maize, soybeans and cotton being GM. Problems with field-resistance to Bt in Busseola fusca in maize started in 2007, linked to very low levels of compliance among farmers in planting refugia. This continues to be a problem. Smallholder GM maize farmers in KwaZulu–Natal have been planting this crop since 2001, and have experienced higher yields and other benefits. South Africa is experiencing a number of delays with approvals of new GM crops, particularly those developed, at least in part, in this country. Additionally, the Biotechnology Innovation Centers established after the publication of the National Biotechnology Strategy in 2001 have been closed and incorporated into a new Technology Innovation Agency (TIA). As TIA has been largely dysfunctional since 2010 this has created a hiatus in funding. As a result of these problems South Africa is currently at a crossroads in terms of the development and adoption of GM crops. For the country to move forward, bold steps are required, and a number of recommendations are listed.

The African Centre for Gene Technologies is a collaborative initiative of the Universities of Pretoria, Witwatersrand and Johannesburg, with the Agricultural Research Council and the CSIR.