ACDP says Govt approval of cancer-linked 2,4D GM maize - hasty

MEDIA RELEASE​

Cheryllyn Dudley, MP and Whip

31 May 2013

ACDP says Govt approval of cancer-linked 2,4D GM maize - hasty

• calls for review of risk assessment and permitting process

• USA govt - no approval pending further research

ACDP questions maize already in production and consumed in SA

• short-term provision of food clouds health threats in long term

• agriculture impacts on all MDG's

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In the recent Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Budget Vote debate in the House of Assembly, ACDP MP Cheryllyn Dudley said;

"Africa is the world’s second-fastest growing region in the world, but it will not halve extreme poverty and hunger by 2015, according to the ‘MDG Report 2013: Assessing progress in Africa toward the Millennium Development Goals’, which found that food insecurity negatively impacts on several MDGs and that concerted efforts to improve agriculture, food distribution and nutrition would, fast-track progress - another reminder of the importance of the agricultural sector!

"In August 2012, the African Christian Democratic Party submitted a petition to overturn a government decision to allow the import of GM Maize, known as “Agent Orange”, into South Africa. The maize is dubbed ‘Agent Orange’ because it has been genetically modified to survive the weed-killer called 2,4D, one of the key ingredients of the infamous defoliant chemical used in the Viet Nam war."

"The introduction of 2,4D resistant crops is expected to trigger a 30-fold increase in the use of this chemical which has been linked to cancer of the white blood cells and has produced a variety of disturbing results in studies on animals. The use of 2,4D is banned in Norway, Sweden and Denmark."

The petition, drafted by the African Centre for Biosafety (ACB), cites concerns about potential health impacts and government’s lack of capacity to monitor 2,4D residue left on food crops. It is supported by 18 health professionals and academics, 20 South African organisations and over 6000 individual signatories, has been referred to the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries to be processed.

"The ACDP is of the opinion that Government has been hasty in granting the approval of 2,4D GM maize. The USA government last week announced that it will not grant approval for the cultivation of this crop until at least 2015 pending further research into safety. It is disturbing that our government granted approval for the consumption of this maize before it was approved in the country of origin."

"Hon Minister, the ACDP is appealing to you to urgently initiate a complete review of our risk assessment and permitting process."

"The ACDP further calls on the Minister to review Monsanto’s original research, submitted for approval of maize that is already in production and being consumed in South Africa. We note that Kenya has banned GM imports as a result of this research. This matter needs to be interrogated and the public needs to be well informed and involved."

"Maize is a staple food in South Africa and the risks pose a threat to an entire nation - we should be supporting healthy food production systems that will sustain our people and the environment into the future. It is our understanding that no other government has allowed its staple food to be genetically modified."

"The ACDP recognises the major considerations and implications that weigh in on these issues - decisions are not easy when provision of food in the short-term cloud health threats in the longer term."

The ACDP will be supporting this budget despite reservations."

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For further information contact:

Cheryllyn Dudley, MP and Whip

ACDP Parliament

082 890 65 20