DEAT PERSPECTIVE ON
GENETICALLY MODIFIED
ORGANISMS
31 JULY 2007
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OVERVIEW OF PRESENTATION
• National Environmental Legislation
overview
– NEMA Framework
– NEMBA
• Overview of International Obligations
– Convention on Biological Diversity
– Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
• Environmental issues addressed
• Perspective on labeling
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Introduction
• New technologies bring with them
regulatory challenges
• DEAT using a precautionary approach to
releases into the environment in line with
NEMA principles
• Decision making on GMOs presents
example of cooperative governance in
operation- DEAT, DoA, DST, DTI, DoH,
DoL
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National Environmental
Management Act of 1998
– To provide for cooperative environmental
governance by establishing principles for
decision making on matters affecting the
environment
– To provide for the prohibition, restriction and
control of activities which are likely to have a
detrimental effect on the environment
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NEMA Principles
• NEMA stipulates a ‘risk-averse and cautious approach’
to avoid, minimize or remedy the disturbance of ecosystems and loss of biological diversity.
• Environmental management decisions should take into
account the impact of decisions on all people, as well as
promote participation of interested and affected parties,
take place openly and transparently, and be appropriate
in relation to the assessment of social, economic and
environmental costs and benefits.
• NEMA contains provisions which set out the
requirements for integrated environmental management
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NEMBA
•
Purpose
– Provide for the management and
conservation of biodiversity within the
framework of NEMA;
– The protection of species and ecosystems;
– Sustainable use of indigenous biological
resources.
– Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising
from bioprospecting of indigenous biological
resources.
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NEMBA – GMO Provisions
• Chapter 2 (SANBI); Section 11 (1)(b)
SANBI must monitor and report regularly to the
Minister on the impacts of any genetically
modified organism that has been released into
the environment, including the impact on nontarget organisms and ecological processes,
indigenous biological resources and the
biological diversity of species used for
agriculture.
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NEMBA – GMO Provisions
•
Chapter 5; Section 78
If the minister has reason to believe that the
release (trial or general release) of a GMO into
the environment under a permit applied for in
terms of the GMO Act may pose a threat to
any indigenous species or the environment, no
permit for such a release may be issued in
terms of this Act unless an EIA has been
conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 of
NEMA as if such release were a listed activity
contemplated in that chapter.
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NEMBA – GMO Provisions
• Chapter 5; Section 78
– The Minister must convey his/her belief to the
issuing authority (DoA) before the relevant
permit is decided.
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International Obligations
• South Africa is a party to the Convention on
Biological Diversity
• Developed NBSAP as part of obligations
• NBSAP includes environmental biosafety issues:
– 3.5.1 Ensure institutional co-operation and coordination to deal with potential risks from GMOs
– 3.5.2 Develop and implement effective measures for
management and control of potentially risky activities
related to GMOs
– 3.5.3 Share information and provide support to
ensure adoption and implementation of highest
biosafety standards to minimise risks associated with
GMOs
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Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
• Objective is to help ensure the safe
transfer, handling and use of LMOs that
could have potential harmful effects on
conservation and biodiversity (including
human health).
• South Africa acceded to the Protocol in
2003
• DEAT National Focal Point
• DoA National Competent Authority
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Key Provisions: CPB
• Advance - and informed - consent by the
importing countries,
• Science-based risk assessments,
• Responsible transport handling and transit
practices, in any transboundary shipment of
LMO’s.
• Capacity building
• Liability and Redress
• Socio economic considerations
• Biosafety Clearing House Mechanisms
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DEAT RESPONSIBILITIES
• Assessing the environmental risk of the
contained use of GMOs
• International negotiations and implementation of
agreed national programmes on the
environmental safety of GMOs
• Monitoring GMOs released into the environment
• Commissioning and disseminating scientific
research on environmental aspects of GM
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Perspective on labeling
• Major DEAT involvement is as a result of
the discussions under the Cartagena
Protocol on Biosafety
• DEAT does not have legislative mandate
on labeling of GMOs
• DEAT is actively participating in process to
develop identity preservation standards for
GMOs produced in South Africa
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Conclusion
• Developing an effective management
framework for GMOs is main priority for
building public confidence
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THANK YOU
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