Department of Agriculture Supports Wine Council?s Vote Against GMO?s

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has decided to side with the SA Wine Council in their opposition against a request to the Registrar: Genetically Modified Organisms for permission to use genetically modified malolactic yeast ML01 for the commercial production of wine in South Africa.

"The wine industry is of paramount importance to the economic and social welfare of the Western Cape," says Cobus Dowry, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture. "Not only was the industry responsible for an estimated state income of R2 549 million from local sales during 2005, it also contributes to the economy through foreign investments worth millions of rands and the industry is an important employer along its value chain."

For this reason we cannot afford to lose the favour of our export markets by prematurely incorporating genetically modified organisms or products in the wine making process. Although the Department and the SA wine industry support GMO research through the Winetech programmes, such research is strictly controlled through international accepted protocols. The Department will not support the introduction of GMO organisms in the commercial production of wine until such time as it is clear that this practice is internationally acceptable.

ENQUIRIES:

Alie van Jaarsveld
Spokesperson
Ministry of Agriculture: Western Cape
Tel: 021 483 4930
Fax: 021 483 3890
Cell: 084 604 6701
Email: avjaarsv@pgwc.gov.za

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http://www.westerncape.gov.za/agriculture