Press release: African Centre for Biosafety and Earthlife Africa Thekwini 7 August 2009
South African authorities have given the go-ahead for open-air field rials of grapevines genetically modified (GM) to resist fungal isease, despite the failure of fungal resistant grapevines in German rials several years ago. The Institute for Wine Biotechnology (IWB) ased at the University of Stellenbosch lodged their application to onduct open- air field trials of GM Sultana and Chardonnay grapevine arieties in 2006.
The African Centre for Biosafety (ACB) interrogated the safety data
submitted by the IWB in 2006 and submitted an objection the grounds
that the risk of contamination of adjacent fields was very high,
posing a risk to South Africa’s lucrative export market. “The
European Union is South Africa’s major trade partner in the wine
industry, where consumers have very low tolerance for genetically
modified products. Contamination is a real threat as seed can be
transported by birds or rain and could put our export market at risk
for a technology that has already proven ineffective.” said ACB’s
Haidee Swanby.
“Although the proponents argue that the GM grapevine reduces the
need for pesticides in the vineyard, they are simply replacing one
form of pesticide with another. GM crops have consistently developed
resistance to targeted pests requiring the use of additional and often
more toxic chemicals, threatening health and farmer incomes ”, said
Vanessa Black of Earthlife Africa..
The vibrant South African wine and tourism industry plays an
important role in the South African economy. In 2008 exports of South
African wines outstripped domestic sales in terms of volume for the
first time in history, with a whopping 316.8 million litres of wine
flowing to foreign shores(i). Our most popular destinations being the
UK, Germany, Netherlands and Sweden(ii). In South Africa the wine and
wine tourism industry employs an estimated 260 000 people.
According to the IWB’s permit application, should field trials lead
to commercial release of the GM Sultanas and Chardonnay varieties,
they would be destined for the table as well as wines.
The University of Stellenbosch applied for a permit in 2006, but the
authorities sent it back requesting further information. “The scanty
information supplied in the application relied heavily on outdated and
abandoned biosafety studies conducted at the German Institute for Vine
Breeding (IVB). The permit has now been granted, but still on
condition that further information be supplied”, said Swanby.
The African Centre for Biosafety will appeal against the approval of
the permit.
ENDS
The ACB’s scientific assessment of the 2006 application can be
found at
http://www.biosafetyafrica.org.za/images/stories/dmdocuments/Objections_GM_Wine_TSGn_TCGn_10_10_06.pdf
Contact:
Haidee Swanby, African Centre for Biosafety
082 459 8548 Esta dirección electrónica esta protegida contra spam bots. Necesita activar JavaScript para visualizarla Esta dirección electrónica esta protegida contra spambots. Es necesario activar Javascript para visualizarla <mailto: Esta dirección electrónica esta protegida contra spam bots. Necesita activar JavaScript para visualizarla Esta dirección electrónica esta protegida contra spambots. Es necesario activar Javascript para visualizarla >
Vanessa Black, Earthlife Africa eThekwini,
082 472 8844 Esta dirección electrónica esta protegida contra spam bots. Necesita activar JavaScript para visualizarla Esta dirección electrónica esta protegida contra spambots. Es necesario activar Javascript para visualizarla <mailto: Esta dirección electrónica esta protegida contra spam bots. Necesita activar JavaScript para visualizarla Esta dirección electrónica esta protegida contra spambots. Es necesario activar Javascript para visualizarla >
(i) Wine exports break new records, 23 May 2008, Jeanine Erasmus,
www.MediaClubSouthAfrica.com <http://www.MediaClubSouthAfrica.com>
(ii) www.wosa.co.za <http://www.wosa.co.za>
