Concerns on Release of GM Potato Cultivar in South Africa

The impending release of the genetically-modified (GM) potato that has resistance to potato tuber moth, has triggered series of concerns among the consumers of South Africa. Potatoes South Africa supports biotechnology and the advantages of the GM potato for the potato industry. However, the group requests that the following concerns be finalized before the GM cultivar is approved for commercialization:

• Mandatory labelling of any GM potatoes to afford the consumer the choice to purchase GM or non GM potatoes.
• The development of a testing system for the reliable tracing of GM potatoes in order to make traceability and identification thereof possible.
• Obtaining the opinion of the consumers, taking into account the opinion of the retail, processing and the fast food industries.
• The impact of the general release of a GM cultivar on the potato export market should be determined before proceeding with the process.
• A communication plan must be launched to enable the consumers to make an informed choice on the consumption of GM potatoes.

For details of the media release, contact:  Dr Ben Pieterse of Potatoes South Africa at  bpieterse@agric.co.za. For information on biotechnology in South Africa contact Wynand van der Walt at wynandjvdw@telkomsa.net