South Africa’s biosafety agency warns of GM wheat contamination to food supply

SOUTH AFRICA – The African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) has warned that trials of genetically modified (GM) wheat in South Africa could contaminate the food supply and enter neighbouring importing countries.

This follows Trigall Genetics’ plans to conduct field trials of its “HB4” GM wheat between 2025 and 2026 at multiple locations in the Western Cape and Northern Cape provinces.

While the wheat is promoted for its drought tolerance, concerns about potential contamination risks have been raised.

For the ACB, the main fear is that the genetically modified traits of the GM wheat seeds will spread during the trials to surrounding wheat fields and eventually contaminate the food supply.

In a statement published on its website on September 30, the organization questions the protective measures proposed by Trigall Genetics, which it considers “  insufficient  ” while doubts still remain about the health safety of this genetic material. 

According to ACB, Trigall is proposing an isolation distance of five meters and a year-long monitoring plan, but “contamination has been a feature in previous GM wheat trials in the US, where contamination events were detected up to eight to 15 years after trials”.

“Where such contamination occurs in foodstuff containing GM wheat that is less than 5% – this being the threshold for labelling in South Africa – South Africans will not know they are consuming GM wheat and will be unable to avoid purchasing or consuming products containing the GM wheat.”

No GM wheat has yet been imported. Field trials are planned for 2025 and 2026, with Trigall planning to apply for a commercial permit in 2027.

According to ACB, approval for field trials will absolve Trigall (Bioceres) from any liability or redress that may arise from contamination of the food supply from the field trials.

Speaking on the subject, Mariam Mayet, Director of the ACB, stressed that the consequences could also spill over to neighbouring countries. 

“Similarly, wheat contamination in South Africa is reflected in exports to several African countries, including Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Zambia and Namibia, where genetically modified wheat has not been approved,” she explained.

According to the US Department of Agriculture, South Africa relies on imports for 45% of its wheat consumption, which amounted to 3.6 million tonnes in 2023/2024. In the country, more than 530,000 hectares of agricultural land are devoted to growing the grain. 

The concerns come as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently approved the cultivation of HB4 in the US.

According to U.S. Wheat Associates, the USDA’s decision on HB4 wheat was the furthest the agency has ever gone with genetically modified wheat.

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