Hon. N SINGH, MP
Honourable Chairperson,
Whist we appreciate that these Bills will ensure that our plants and seeds are on par with international standards and quality, we must be mindful of the growing international trend in which nearly all seed companies are being bought up by pesticide and biotech companies, which companies in turn are owned, and largely controlled by pharmaceutical companies.
One can reasonably assume that “for profit” seed/pharmacuetical companies, in order to maximize profits, would only sell seeds that work well together with their own pesticide products.
This could lead to an increased use of agro-chemicals, which can adversely affect health, and which would then require the pharmaceutical parent companies medicinal drugs to then treat such adverse health consequences. It is was Professor Blumberg of the University of California has termed “cradle to grave care” and it is a ‘red flag’ and concern with this industry.
Other concerns include, the fact that private ownership may encroach upon genetic resources that are held in common. A large part of agriculture in South Africa is dependent upon community sharing, saving and exchanging of seeds.
The erosion of genetic diversity through a narrowing of breeding priorities and commercial interests must also be guarded against.
Honourable Chairperson, 40% of the population of this country still reside in our rural areas and are greatly dependent upon agriculture as there form of subsistence. These are largely our poor and most vulnerable.
Seeds that are commercially available are expensive. What assurances do we have that our poor and most vulnerable will have affordable access to these seed markets?
Our poor and emerging farmers must have reasonable access to these seeds and the Department must ensure that there are strategies in place to facilitate and ensure that this is the case.
Lastly, the IFP believes that the right to health includes the right to know what we are consuming and whether or not we are exposing ourselves to health risks through our diet. In this respect, we have closely followed the international debate on the use of the herbicide Glyphosate in the agricultural sector, as evidence has emerged stating that Glyphosate causes Cancer.
An investigation into the use of GMOs being used in our staple foods must immediately be undertaken, it would be reckless and almost criminal not to do so. We therefore trust that the department of Agriculture is conducting its own studies and will be addressing us shortly on ITS findings.
Subject to the above concerns, the IFP supports these Bills.
I thank you.
Contact:
Hon Narend Singh, MP
083 788 5954
IFP Media, Parliament
