By Stephanie Saville
Environmental watchdog organisation Biowatch South Africa (SA) has welcomed a statement by the department of health that new draft regulations to ensure compulsory labelling of genetically-modified crops and food are at an advanced stage.
"The ability to trace food from farm to fork and labelling of food is particularly important in light of the reported increases in the planting of genetically-modified crops in South Africa, especially the planting of white maize which is a staple food," said Leslie Liddell, Biowatch SA director.
Liddell said tests done on randomly-selected soy and maize products on supermarket shelves showed that 90 percent of soy products and 61 percent of maize products tested contained traces of genetic modification.
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'The ability to trace food from farm to fork and labelling of food is particularly important' At the time of the tests, it was estimated that only about 50 percent of South Africa's soy crop, about 10 percent of its white maize crop and about 24 percent of its yellow maize was genetically modified, he said.
He said surveys had shown that the planting of genetically-modified soy, maize and cotton crops had increased.
"But as genetically-modified crops are reportedly on the increase, so too is organic agricultural production."
Liddell said the organic agricultural sector, which earned about R155-million in 2005, had earned just R3-million in 2003.
"A total of about 515 000ha is under organic farming. About 500 000ha of this total is used for pasture beef cattle, about 11 000ha are used for growing rooibos tea and the rest is used for growing fruit, vegetables, some grains and essential oils."
A Research Surveys poll conducted late last year found almost one in six South Africans either rejected or avoided genetically-modified food, said Liddell.
The poll also indicated an improved knowledge about the issue from a survey done in 2001.
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