South Africa’s - ACGT · South Africa’s status with respect to biotech and biosafety . SA Biotech Timeline 2 Instruments: ... country 6 . 7 THE SOUTH AFRICAN GMO ACT (Act 15 of

South Africa’s status with respect to

biotech and biosafety

SA Biotech Timeline

2

Instruments: BRICs; NBN;

PUB 2003

Merge into TIA 2009

2009 Outputs:

• 14 platforms established

• 73 projects funded

• Investment into 31 companies

• 221 products & 142 services

• 940 jobs

• 439 bursaries/indirect study

support

• R247 mill leveraged (on R1 bill)

Bio-economy Strategy

development 2009-2013

Functioning NSI 2020

Bio-economy

5% of GDP 2050

Nat Biotech Strategy

2001

Incorporation of ‘learnings’

2 2 2

3 3 3

Agriculture • Bio-economy strategy: “Responsible genetic

engineering remains a critical technology. And

presents a significant competitive opportunity.”

• Many early stage research projects at universities

including GM, -omics & molecular breeding focusing

on biotic and abiotic resistance, novel products &

improved traits in crops such as maize, sugarcane,

cassava, wheat, forestry & fruit trees, etc.

• Aquaculture (fish & shellfish)

• ARC

- Biotech platform

- Insect resistant GM potato, WEMA 4 4 4

Health

• Vaccines esp. TB and HIV (all imported)

• Diagnostics esp. TB and HIV

• Medical devices (80-90% imported)

• Biopharming

• Biodiscovery

• Indigenous knowledge

• MRC & CSIR

- Vaccine development

- Biopharming

- Biodiscovery

5 5 5

Industry and Environment

• Enzyme, oils & nutrient manufacturing

• Biofuels (plant- & algae based)

• Wastewater treatment

• Bioleaching

• Biodiscovery) – SA 3rd most biologically diverse

country

6 6 6

7 7 7

THE SOUTH AFRICAN GMO ACT (Act 15 of 1997)

1.

2.

3.

From:

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9 9 9

Biosafety Research • Food safety

- CSIR (substantial equivalence maize)

- Food Allergen Consulting & Testing Services (Bt maize

allergenicity)

• Environmental safety - Northwest University (resistance development, non-target

impacts, aquatic health systems)

- Stellenbosch University (contained research on GM abalone,

cis-genetics for sugarcane)

• Socio-economics - University of Pretoria (Bt cotton Makatini Flats, BT & HT

maize, small-scale farmers, impact maize exports to

Zimbabwe.

- University of Ford Hare (Bt maize, small-scale farmers in

Eastern Cape).

10 10 10

Relevant organisations

11 11 11

KEY MESSAGES

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1. Appropriate and efficient regulatory systems are key to the utilisation of agricultural biotechnology.

2. Regulation is knowledge intensive and should be science-based.

3. Regulatory decision-making should be robust; based on peer-reviewed evidence and advice.

4. Policymakers should seek to engage African science academies when making decisions on the regulation of agricultural biotechnology.

5. Public participation (& understanding) and transparency is necessary to instil confidence among all stakeholders.

6. Policies and laws can only be successful and effective if there is real political will and conviction.

From: Regulation of Agricultural GM Technology in Africa, ASSAf