In view of recent media reports, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries would like to confirm that it has approved the export of 240 000 tons of a mixed consignment of genetically modified (GM) maize to Kenya for use as a commodity (i.e. not for planting only for food, feed and processing). As a signatory to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety since 2003, the issuing of the commodity export permit followed due process in terms of our obligations under the Biosafety Protocol.
In terms of the Protocol, this required that the Kenyan Government authorities firstly authorised the import before the department could issue a commodity export permit. Upon receipt of this authorisation the department issued export permits during February 2010. Due to unconfirmed media reports that the consignment was rejected, the department has followed up with the Kenyan government to confirm the status of the genetically modified maize consignment at the port of Mombasa. The reports from the Kenyan Plant Health Inspectorate Services (KEPHIS) are that the consignment has been transferred to a warehouse facility. No further official reports are available.
To date, the biosafety regulatory process has issued conditional general release approval for four genetically modified traits in maize for commercial cultivation and use. Genetically modified maize approved in South Africa, is therefore considered to be as safe as the conventional non-genetically modified maize counterparts.
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries remains committed to ensure that the biosafety regulatory process contributes towards the safe application and use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the country in compliance with the obligations under the Biosafety Protocol. The department will continue to work closely with its biosafety regulatory counterparts within the African region and beyond, to ensure that issues regarding the trade of GM commodities are proactively resolved.
For more information, contact:
Noncedo Vutula
Tel: 012 319 7348
Cell: 082 523 4904
E-mail: CDCI@daff.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
21 April 2010
