Biotechnology Priorities for South Africa

Prof. Diran MakindeAfricaBio

Cape Town- 14/15 April 2003

Why was AfricaBio created?

• Provide biotechnology stakeholders with a platform for biotechnology in SA and Africa

• To address a strong misinformation campaign in SA media on modern biotechnology

• Our experience had shown that there was relevance for biotechnology in Africa

• A moratorium would prevent South Africa accessing and testing relevant technologies

AfricaBio’s role• Make available accurate information.

• Encourage informed debate.

• Promote safe, ethical and responsible use of biotechnology.

• Interact with government and civil society.

• Interact with international bodies.

• Provide education and training.

• Stimulate new biotechnology development

GM Crops World-wide• Over 30 GM Crops.

• Including the following: maize, soya beans, tomatoes, canola, potatoes, peppers, cabbage,cucumber, squash, cotton, grapes, carrots and chicory.

Global Area of Transgenic Crops, 1996 to 2002: Global Area of Transgenic Crops, 1996 to 2002: Industrial and Developing Countries Industrial and Developing Countries

(million hectares)(million hectares)

Source: Clive James, 2002Source: Clive James, 2002

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Total

Industrial

Developing

58.752.6

42.7

39.1

1613.5

A compelling case for GM crops

• Increase crop productivity and contribute to global food, feed and fiber security

• Conserving biodiversity, through the use of GM crops as a land saving technology

• More efficient use of external inputs and a more sustainable environment

• Increasing stability of crop production to lessen suffering during famines due to drought, unfavorable weather patterns, pest infestations and disease epidemics

• Economic and social benefits and alleviation of poverty

Plant Biotechnology in South Africa(New audit to be done 2003)

• R&D for over 20 years.• Plant trials for 12 years (using existing policy).• GMO Act implemented in 1999.• National Biotechnology Strategy 2001• 5 commercial approvals by end 2002.• About 110 plant biotech groups (academic and

research).• Over 160 plant biotech projects.• About 45 companies using biotechnology in food, feed

and fibre.• Public not informed

National Biotechnology Strategy (Guides priorities)

To inform government and other role

players about the steps that need to be

taken for biotechnology to have a positive

socio-economic impact in South Africa.

Implementation Framework(Overcoming barriers): DST

Biotechnology Regional Innovation Centers (BRICs) BioPad EcoBio Cape Biotech Initiatives (CBI)

National Bioinformatics Facility NACI Biotechnology Advisory Committee NACI Bioethics Committee Special Biotechnology Studies/Investigations Legislative & Regulatory actions Public Understanding of Biotechnology - FEST Biological Resource Organisations Network

(Biodiversity)

BRICs Biotechnology Programmes

Focus Areas

Human Health

Plant improvement

Animal Production

Human Resources, Infrastructure Needs and Funding Requirements

Mining and Environment

Industrial

National Biotechnology Roadmaps 5-10 year “strategic commitments

Research strategy for building technology platforms in the

following areas: Human Health Plant Improvement and Development of Novel Products in Plants Animal Health and Animal Production  Biotechnology in Industrial Processes, Mining and Environmental

Applications New biotechnology platform/clusters  

Human resource development strategy Infrastructure investment strategy Inform other structures (e.g. BRICS, new agricultural

priorities)

South African GM crop acreage 2003

Crop Hectares Percentage of total crop

White maize 58, 000 2.8%

Yellow maize 176, 000 20%

Soya 12, 000 11%

Cotton 24, 000 80%

GMO Permits applied for and issued from 1999-2002

Year 1999 2000 2001 2002

Number of Applications

59 79 173 232

Field Trials 54 45 62 49

Greenhouse Trials - 1 2 -

Export - 3 22 42

Import - 63 67 98

Commodity Clearance

- 6 6 4

General Release - 1 3 1

Commercial planting

- - 9 11

Control Measures on GMO’s

• GMO Act • National Environmental Management Act• Biodiversity Bill (draft)• National Biotechnology Strategy• Regulations on Labeling (draft)• Convention for Biological Diversity• Cartagena Protocol on Biodiversity (2003)• International treaty on plant Genetic

Resources (FAO)

Executive Council(Harmonization at national level)• Dept of Agriculture• Dept of Health• Dept of Environment Affairs and Tourism • Dept of Science and Technology• Dept of Trade and Industry• Dept of Labor

• Dept of Agriculture: Registrar’s Office

Safety checks(Communicate the safety checks)

Biosafety considerations for commercial release (Case-by-case assessment)

Consumers - includes human safety

Environment

Toxicity Pathogenicity Allergenicity Digestibility Nutrition Unexpected products Stability Other

Effect on: Living organisms Air, soil, water Sustainable agriculture Biodiversity Stability Other

Non-safety commercialisation considerations: Socio-economics Trade Labour Public acceptance

Conclusion

• Harmonization in government department and structures in the face of the technology

• Build on existing structures • Address funding problems

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