strandwolf
Banned
Call to Action: Label all GMO products
Submissions to DTI on Consumer Protection General Regulations w.r.t. Genetically-Modified
Organisms/Food
The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) and its associated General Regulations are set to come into effect
towards the end of October 2010. Due to the concerns around genetically-modified products (GMO’s),
w.r.t. consumers right to choose, several advocacy groups have persistently raised these concerns over
the years, resulting in the government adopting a clause in the CPA governing GMO’s. This campaign is
designed to ensure that proper labelling, traceability and segregation regimes are in place to protect the
public interest.
We therefore call on the public to lend its voice to ensure that we and the next generations are protected
against unidentified GMO’s in our food chain.
To the public, therefore, this is a call to make your submissions. Here follows some notes to consider
before making your submissions;
1. Provide as much input and guidance in your submissions as possible.
2. Please, keep inputs to the point. We want labelling of all products that contain GMO’s at any level to
the maximum of 0.9% (European standard). We would like clearly defined and reasonable comments
speaking only to the regulations in the Consumer Protection Act (see below).
3. Only two weeks remain before the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) deadline for submissions
expire. So make it snappy and get them in or send them to the (contacts below)
4. Follow the points below. It would be appreciated but respondents need not address each and every
point in there submissions since these are but some guidelines. (Please try and stick to these only)
Focus areas:
1. Trade description eg: GMO plant/animal, GMO ingredients. What should a comprehensive
description/definition for GMO containing products look like?
2. What should the wording/text on the package, box or counter look like to indicate the presence of
GMO's? Qualify your argument. Focus on text (font), size, colour, position etc.
3. Do you have an idea for a pictogram or graphical representation that would easily recognizable on a
package to depict GMO contents?
4. Should the country of origin be indicated on the package/box?
5. What allowable threshold for GMO contents can you live with (noting our position as stated above)?
Qualify your argument.
6. Should all shipments into the country be tested for GMO?
7. Who should be liable for provable health complications, contaminations or release of unapproved
GMO events?
8. Should animal feed or feed products, i.e. products fed to animals or injected into animals be labeled?
9. What should a tracebility/tracking system for GMO’s along the food chain look like?
10. State what your views are on genetically-modified animals or cloned animals entering the food chain
or being allowed onto the market?
11. Should South Africa have an independent certification/assessment body for GMO’s? Who do you
propose that body should be?
We indeed appreciate your time, and trust your inputs will be positively received.
Please could you forward your submissions to the address below or e-mail me before Monday, 4th
October 2010
Thanking you.
Fahrie Hassan
Media & Communications Officer
SAFEAGE
Collingwood Place
11B Anson Rd
Observatory
7925
Cape Town
Tel. No. (+27)(21) 801 1816/863
NB: You may send your submissions to Fahrie at
media@safeage.org
With the subject heading:
Submissions to DTI on Consumer Protection General Regulations w.r.t. Genetically-Modified
Organisms/Food