AGRICULTURE NEWS - Reactions have been mixed to news that South Africa’s minister of agriculture Thoko Didiza has upheld previous refusals to allow the general release of Bayer’s triple-stacked genetically modified (GM) maize seed technology for production in the country.
According to a statement issued by the department, the initial refusal, made by South Africa’s Executive Council for Genetically Modified Organisms, was appealed by Monsanto South Africa, which developed and owns the MON87460 x MON89034 x NK603 maize seed.
During this appeal, Monsanto International was acquired by Bayer International.
The statement added that the appeal was heard by the Appeals Board for Genetically Modified Organisms, which upheld the refusal.
Didiza reportedly agreed with, and signed off on, both the executive council’s and appeals board’s decisions.
Read the full story here on the Caxton publication, Farmer's Weekly.
