South Africans to protest over GMOs

THIS Saturday (May 25th, 2013), civil society activists and ordinary South Africans will gather outside the Fourways offices of US agro-chemical giant Monsanto, in a protest against the company¹s aggressive efforts to force "genetically modified organisms" (GMOs) on South African consumers and farmers.

Monsanto¹s toxic legacy of poisonous chemicals and environmental destruction is well documented, as is the frightening extent to which the company controls South Africa¹s food systems. Unfortunately, many South Africans still don¹t realise they are being sold unnatural, experimental, risky substances as part of their daily diet.

Growing numbers of South Africans are angry about being force-fed GMOs, however, and this protest will be an opportunity for them to unite and send a loud and clear message to Monsanto and the South African government that we will not allow Monsanto to control our food system with its toxic and poisonous chemicals, and its contempt for the environment, farmers and citizens.

Monsanto owns around 50% of South Africa's entire maize seed market, and has an absolute monopoly over the country¹s GM market. More than 80% of maize, 90% of soyabean and 100% of cottonseed sold this season were GM, all belonging to Monsanto. Yet, the majority of South Africans are completely in the dark about the risky and extremely dangerous food they consume everyday and have been doing so for more than a decade.

Although Monsanto has obtained approval from the South African government and is supported by commercial businesses that stand to profit from GMOs large food producers, the animal feed industry, and agri-business in general many small producers, family and organic farmers, consumers and independent advocacy groups vehemently oppose the use of GMOs in agriculture production.

Studies strongly suggest that GMOs pose serious long-term health impacts. Since maize is a staple food item in the diet of many millions of South Africans, Monsanto could be laying the groundwork for a public health disaster.

Organisers of the protest invite all South Africans who are concerned about the health and control of their food supply to join this peaceful protest action on the day.

source:The African Centre for Biosafety

www.acbio.org.za
PO Box 29170, Melville 2109 South Africa
Tel: +27 (0)11 486 1156

Fees affect TB fight

By Daniel Chigundu

HEALTH and Child Welfare Deputy Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora says user fees being demanded up-front by health institutions are drawing back the concerted effort being put in the fight against Tuberculosis (TB).

Dr Mombeshora said although the country has a policy on free medical service for TB patients, it was difficult to implement.

“One of the draw backs being faced in the fight against TB is that of user-fees although the disease is treated for free.

“What happens is that when a person visits a hospital or health institution it will not be known that they are suffering from TB so they are asked to pay and free treatment only commences as soon as they are diagnosed of the disease.

“So when one does not have that money even though they might be suffering from TB, they will fail to get medical assistance,” he said.

Statistics from the Ministry of Health and the National Aids Council indicate that TB is the biggest killer of people living with HIV and Aids in the country.

Zimbabwe has a free treatment policy on people above 65 years, children under 5 years, pregnant woman, HIV patients, TB patients and Malaria patients but most of them are being drawn back by the user fees required for consultations.

Dr Mombeshora said total eradication of user fees will only be possible if government secured more funds towards the program, adding that there were other diseases such as cancer that deserve to be treated for free but funding was standing in the way.

NAC’s audited financial results for 2011 show that over 50 percent of the country’s total interventions for HIV come from the Global Fund while Aids Levy, the Expanded Support Group (ESP), United States government and private players, account for the rest.