Govt must tell all on GMO
News 24, South Africa
24/02/2005 14:18 - (SA)
http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_1667288,00.html

Pretoria - Environmental lobby group Biowatch obtained a Pretoria High Court order on Thursday compelling the government to divulge details of all genetically modified organisms (GMO) brought into or manufactured in the country.

This includes a list of facts concerning each permit, approval and authorisation granted for all GMO imports, exports, field trials and general releases to date.

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.

Acting Judge Eric Dunn granted the order in a 60 page written judgment.

The application was contested by the registrar of genetic resources, the Executive Council for Genetically Modified Organisms and the minister of agriculture.

Biotechnology company Monsanto South Africa, which was also cited as a respondent, has already volunteered to make information available to Biowatch.

Biowatch lodged its court application after several failed attempts to obtain certain information.