Modern biotechnology, GM crops specifically, is naturally a hot topic, especially in view of South Africa's record of 12 years of field trials, and commercial release of Bt cotton, Bt corn, herbicide tolerant cotton and soybeans. Total acreage for 2001/2002 summer is estimated at approaching 200 000 ha.

Present Bt cotton is at over 60% of total commercial plantings and over 80% of small scale farmer plantings. The European driven anti-GM protagonists hit the country in 1999 and found modestly fertile ground amongst some consumers in the absence of meaningful industry or Government pro-active public awareness communication.

Yet, Government has been bold enough to come up with a positive National Strategy for Biotechnology. This builds further on an existing, functioning GM regulatory system.

Other issues which will impact indirectly, through national legislation, are international conventions and agreements. These include UPOV (our legislation already meets UPOV 91) and the technical complexities of EDV; the CBD and the International Undertaking; the Cartagena Biosafety Protocol and its potential for disrupting trade; Codex GM food labelling which will take identity preservation back to the seed; and WTO-TRIPS which will require compliance with Article 27(b)(3).

On the regional front substantial inputs will be required to put into motion a process to harmonize seed legislation and biosafety systems, in preparation for the planned regional common market of the 14 countries in the Southern Africa Development Community. Regional progress by Governments on this issue, has been negligible.

Challenges

The major challenge is for the seed industry to understand that the issues listed above, are not distant, peripheral affairs. They are all interlinked and will impact on the industry, directly or indirectly through the markets served by seed suppliers. A second challenge is to convince seedsmen that GM crops have come to stay, that it will lead to complex market and trade issues on the one hand, but on the other hand new marketing opportunities for seed containing special traits to serve niche markets. The present EU stance on GM is not sustainable and the turn-around will come, however politically painful. Nevertheless, dualistic markets for non-GM and GM food products will remain for the foreseeable future.

In meeting these challenges, the industry must remain involved in making inputs into the debates, negotiations and drafting of legislation. In doing so, seed experts need to learn to be active communicators, learn to lobby Government as a partner and not as a pressure group, and to strengthen partnerships with other stakeholders.

Present income for SANSOR is derived from membership fees, certification fees, commission on licensing, and miscellaneous. Despite this spread of income from various sources, it is still a challenge to further safeguard future financial resources by initiating seed-related activities and projects which can generate funds.

Opportunities

The single most important opportunity at present is to grasp new seed export opportunities. Government policy to liberalize currency controls and to let the currency float with minimal support, has led to an effective 30% devaluation against an artificially strong US$. This has not only made South Africa one of the most cost-effective tourist destinations in the world, but also reinforces the potential for export of quality seed.