Organics South Africa is a Section 21 Industry Body for Organic farmers, retailers, processors and certifiers in South Africa. We have been active in South Africa for more than 20 years. We have a mailing list/membership of nearly 400 people.

The interests of our members are in the sale, production, growing and processing of organic products. Our industry has grown phenomenally in the past 4 years, placing South Africa on the map again as a country with huge organic production potential. Major investments have been made in infrastructure locally and this is all at risk as a result of GMO's 

The proposed GMO legislation is a major crisis for our industry as it will fundamentally impair our constitutional right and our ability to farm organically. The use of GMO's is not allowed in organic agriculture anywhere in the world and contamination of our crops in South Africa, or even the perceived risk thereof, would immediately close all export opportunities, existing and potential. It would also seriously undermine the integrity of our growing methods and the trust the consumer places in his/her organic choice.

In this regard we support and endorse the submission by Biowatch SA and would like to request the opportunity to address parliament on this issue at the forthcoming hearings.

Yours sincerely

Leonard Mead

Chairperson: Organics SA

Tel: 021 - 8454260

Cell: 0828540927