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BIOTECHNOLOGY & GM CROPS: OPPORTUNITIES, RISKS IN AFRICA. FANRPAN REGIONAL STAKEHOLDERS MEETING 31 Aug—4 Sept 2009, Maputo, Mozambique WYNAND J. VAN DER WALT FOODNCROPBIO Tel (+27)-12-347-6334 / 083-468-3471 wynandjvdw@telkomsa.net. DEFINITIONS. BIOTECHNOLOGY
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BIOTECHNOLOGY & GM CROPS: OPPORTUNITIES, RISKS IN AFRICA FANRPAN REGIONAL STAKEHOLDERS MEETING 31 Aug—4 Sept 2009, Maputo, Mozambique WYNAND J. VAN DER WALT FOODNCROPBIO Tel (+27)-12-347-6334 / 083-468-3471 wynandjvdw@telkomsa.net
DEFINITIONS • BIOTECHNOLOGY • application of biological production systems • beer, bread, wine, cheese • MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGY • tissue culture, embryo transfer, vaccination • GENETIC MODIFICATION = GM • transfer or alter genes • BIOSAFETY FRAMEWORKS • Regulatory systems to ensure safety
GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS • GM REQUIRES • SOLVING SPECIFIC PROBLEMS • ADAPTED VARIETIES • ACCEPTED BY FARMERS, POLITICIANS, CONSUMERS • PART OF FARMING TECHNOLOGIES • EXTENSION SERVICES • MANAGEMENT
NATIONAL MAIZE CROP YIELDS PER HECTARE 1924 TO 2009 FOR FIVE PERIODS: OPVs, ADVENT OF HYBRIDS, PRIVATE HYBRIDS,INFUSION OF US GERMPLASM, AND IMPACT OF GM
M Acres 140 346 Total 296 120 Industrial 247 100 Developing 198 80 148 60 99 40 49 20 0 0 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Global Area of Biotech Crops, 1996 to 2008: Industrial and Developing Countries (M Has, M Acres) Source: Clive James, 2009
SOME PROVEN BENEFITS OF GM CROPS • REDUCTION IN DAMAGE BY WEEDS, PESTS, DISEASES • INCREASED FARMER INCOME • REDUCTION IN CHEMICAL PESTICIDES • MORE SAFETY FOR HUMANS AND ENVIRONMENT • PROMOTED CONSERVATION FARMING • MORE HEALTHY FOODS • CROPS WITH SPECIALIZED TRAITS
AFRICAN ISSUES, CONSTRAINTS,CONCERNS, RISKS • NEED POLICIES AND BIOSAFETY FRAMEWORKS • NEED SPECIAL TRAITS FOR SPECIAL PROBLEMS • ATTENTION TO AFRICAN FOOD CROPS • TRAITS IN ADAPTED VARIETIES • INTEGRATE WITH ACCESS TO OTHER INPUTS, EXTENSION, INFRASTRUCTURE, CREDIT, MARKETS • CONSIDER IMPACT ON BIODIVERSITY • POST-RELEASE MONITORING • TRADE BARRIERS • INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS • FARMER IMPATIENCE • EVIDENCE-BASED COMMUNICATION
DISPARATIES IN AFRICAN APPROACHES • <10% EXPORT TRADE IS INTRA-AFRICA • S.AFRICA SOLE GM FLYER UNTIL 2008, THEN EGYPT AND BURKINA FASO • MOST BIOSAFETY FRAMEWORKS NOT YET IN PLACE – POLICIES? • STATUS RANGES FROM PRO- TO ANTI-BIOTECH, MANY UNCLEAR • A.P. RANGES 1% TO 0.5% TO 0.2% TO ZERO
STAKEHOLDER ACTIONS • FANRPAN: STUDIES, REPORTS, PUBLICATIONS, ADVOCACY = NO PROMOTION • MANY STAKEHOLDERS, MUCH POLARIZATION, UNCOORDINATED • COMESA: INITIATIVE FOR HARMONIZATION OF BIOTECH POLICIES, BIOSAFETY FRAMEWORKS FARMER ACCESS TO TEST AND ADOPT FACILITATE TRADE IN GMO FACILITATE FOOD AID TRANSFER CENTRES OF EXELLENCE