The granting of a court order to obtain information from the government about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) was welcomed by the Environmental Justice Networking Forum on Friday.
The Pretoria High Court order was obtained by environmental lobby group Biowatch on Thursday and compelled the government to divulge details of all GMOs brought into or manufactured in the country.
”This is great news,” said EJNF national campaigns coordinator Ace Khabane.
He said recent environmental victories showed that the battle for environmental justice and sustainable development could be won.
The court order included the provision of facts concerning permits, approval and authorisation granted for all GMO imports, exports, field trials and general releases.
It also includes a description of the GMO, its purpose, the name and address of the permit applicant, the area where the GMO would be used, plans for its monitoring and the relevant environmental impact studies.
”This court case has highlighted a need for a close monitoring of the industry and also the fact that the industry shall not operate in secrecy anymore,” EJNF Western Cape coordinator Thabang Ngcozela said.
GMO’s are the result of genetic engineering used to modify life forms by introducing molecular material from other life forms to alter the genetic make-up and inheritable qualities of the modified life form permanently.
The introduction of DNA can be from an unrelated organism. For example, genes from a virus or bacteria, or from an animal, can be inserted into a plant.
Controversies surrounding GMO foods and crops commonly focus on human and environmental safety, labelling and consumer choice, intellectual property rights, ethics, food security, poverty reduction, and environmental conservation. – Sapa