No GM organisms for local wineries 5 December 2007

Decision taken on application for genetically enhanced yeast

The Department of Agriculture’s GMO Executive Council has denied an an application for the release of genetically modified yeast for use in commercial wine. Biowatch South Africa, one of the main opponents of such introductions, reports that the decision is contained in minutes of the Council’s September meeting, available on the Department of Agriculture’s website.

The introduction of a ‘genetically enhanced malolactic yeast’ was widely opposed within the wine industry, with numerous winery owners and winemakers coming out against the application. So too did the SA Wine Council – although it seemed not to take a position against the field trials of genetically modified grapevines, plans for which were announced at about the same time.

No decision has yet been made with regard to the application from Stellenbosch University’s Biotechnology Institute for permission to go ahead with the GM vineyard. Biowatch SA, welcoming the decision not to allow the GM yeast, expreses the hope that the GMO Executive Council ‘will exercise the same caution’ with regard to that application.