Sowing the seeds of discontent
The derailment of DuPont’s intended acquisition of a top South African seed company is emboldening activists opposed to creeping control by both DuPont and rivals
The derailment of DuPont's intended acquisition of a top South African seed company is emboldening activists opposed to creeping control by both DuPont and rivals
Citing unfair control in South Africa by the two dominant US seed companies, South African activists successfully convinced regulators to deny the bid by DuPont’s agricultural unit, Pioneer Hi-Bred, to buy South Africa’s largest seed company, Pannar Seed Ltd.
Now, opponents say they are planning to push for a regulatory investigation of the dominant position global seed leader Monsanto holds in the genetically modified seed sector in South Africa. They argue allowing foreign corporate control of South Africa’s seed supply would erode availability of traditional conventional seed varieties, hurt export business with countries opposed to biotech crops, and force farmers deep into debt to pay for expensive seeds that are the patented properties of the US corporations.
“This is only the beginning of the battle over the control of seeds in (South Africa),” said Mariam Mayet, environmental attorney and director of the Africa Centre for Biosafety (ACB).
Mayet said the group was preparing a study of Monsanto’s seed holdings and all the licensing and cross-licensing agreements in South Africa, particularly those dealing with corn or maize. The group will make a formal application to the South African Competition Commission to investigate and take action to protect against “negative socioeconomic impacts,” Mayet said.
