Monsanto and two other companies joined the Department of Agriculture in contesting the court challenge. Biowatch claimed that section 32(1) (a) of the Constitution and environmental legislation give it the right to access to information on the GMO industry in South Africa.
Government and the companies in support of government argued that Biowatch’s right to access to information is given by the Promotion of Access to Information Act
GM crops are plants that contain genetically modified organisms (gmos) – plants that have had foreign genes from a different organism or species added to them. Promoters of genetically engineered crops, like seed, herbicide and pesticide company Monsanto, say these crops are no riskier than traditional hybrids, that they reduce the use of pesticides and weed killers (and so are less harmful to the environment) and improve yields. In Africa these genetically engineered crops are being promoted as a solution to low agricultural output, poverty and hunger.
Organisations like Biowatch say that none of these claims can be supported.
They say that studies done on farmers using genetically engineered seed have shown varying results. In some global studies, genetically engineered crops have used less insecticide and weed killers for the first three years. But total insecticide and weed killer use has increased in the long run and this has had a variety of toxic effects on non-target plants and animals.
(PAIA), and that Biowatch did not follow the procedures as stipulated by PAIA. In February 2005, Judge Dunn ruled that Biowatch has rights in terms of the Constitution to most of the information that it requested.
The court ruling however also declared that Biowatch must pay Monsanto its costs for the court case. Biowatch is not happy about this matter and has decided to take it up on appeal.
Who is Monsanto?Monsanto holds a vast monopoly of the world’s GMO market – 90% of GMOs worldwide are grown by Monsanto. It is also a major producer of pesticides and herbicides worldwide. The company owns most of the patents on genes.
Monsanto’s past personnel include: US Supreme Court Judge, Clarence Thomas, was Monsanto’s lawyer; US Secretary of Agriculture, Anne Veneman was on the Board of Directors of Monsanto’s Calgene Corporation; the Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld was on the Board of Directors of Monsanto’s Searle pharmaceuticals; US Secretary of Health, Tommy Thompson received $50 000 in donations from Monsanto during his winning campaign for Wisconsin’s governor.
Monsanto must goMeanwhile, at a February workshop, representatives from the faith based communities, trade unions, small farms and food garden projects, the anti-gmo lobby in South Africa and on the African continent decided to call on social movements and trade unions to support their campaign to kick Monsanto out of South Africa.
For more information about the struggle against GMOs in South Africa check out the following websites: www.biowatch.org.za and www.safeage.org
Althea McQuene is an environmental activist