Executive Council decision on future genetically modified maize commodity imports into South Africa

The Department of Agriculture hereby confirms that no moratorium was placed on the importation of genetically modified (GM) maize into South Africa.

All activities involving genetically modified organisms are regulated under the Genetically Modified Organisms Act, 1997 (Act No. 15 of 1997). This includes the importation of GM maize for use as food and feed. It is important to note that such consignments of GM maize may only be imported if all the GM maize events contained in the consignment have been approved for use as food or feed (therefore obtained commodity clearance) by the Executive Council, the decision-making body appointed in terms of the GMO Act.

A multidisciplinary process of evaluation is applied when any application is considered under the GMO Act. Consideration is given to the potential impact of any activity on human and animal health, the environment as well as potential influences on South African trade and industry.

Several applications requesting commodity clearance approval of GM maize are currently under consideration by the Executive Council. Taking into account, several developments in the trade of agricultural commodities, the Executive Council agreed to commission a study on the potential impact of commodity clearance GM imports on South African trade. This process is conducted under the leadership of the Department of Trade and Industry, in partnership with several key role players.

All current and new applications requesting commodity clearance approval of GM maize are therefore pending until the outcome of this study. This decision does not have any immediate implications for commodity clearance approvals of GM maize to date or any other activity authorised under the GMO Act.