The widespread use of pesticides in agriculture is a serious source of pollution in our country. Not only are farm workers and nearby rural communities suffering severe health issues, due to direct exposure through spray drift, but these agrochemicals contaminate our soil, waterways and underground water. While the Pest Management Act has provisions relating to the impact of … [Read more...]
Solar industry calls on president to remove private power generation limitations
An industry body that represents 320 member organisations in the solar PV industry has written an open letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa, in which it calls on him to remove limitations to private power generation as a way of supporting efforts to kick start the economy post COVID-19. The letter, by the Chairperson of the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association Mr … [Read more...]
Minister Barbara Creecy talks about climate change
The following speech was delivered by Minister Barbara Creecy during a Parliament debate on climate change, at the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, Cape Town, Western Cape Province on 11 March 2020: Allow me at the outset, to once again welcome the President Cyril Ramaphosa’s commitment to establishing the Presidential Climate Change Commission to lead our just … [Read more...]
SA’s PET recycling rates among the highest in the world
South Africans can be proud of their efforts so far, as the latest recycling statistics show solid improvement. The country currently recycles 15% more than most European countries. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles are some of the most recycled products in South Africa. South Africa recycled around 519 400 tonnes of plastic in the last year alone, which gives … [Read more...]
Calls for public release of the Climate Change Bill’s second draft
After months of silence from government on the progress of the Climate Change Bill, Environmental Affairs Minister Barbara Creecy informed Parliament during her Budget Vote speech on 11 July 2019 that the second draft of this critical piece of legislation is currently under review at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac). The first draft of the Bill … [Read more...]
Should healing CBDs become a schedule 4 prescription drug?
On the 28th of July the Medicines Control Council, in consultation with the Minister of Health gazetted a regulatory notice scheduling various substances in terms of section 22A(2) of the Medicines and Related Substances Act (Act No. 101 of 1965). One of the substances hidden at the bottom of page 27 of the gazette was Cannabidiol, or more commonly known as CBD. All … [Read more...]
Time to save our seeds from corporate control
The Plant Breeders’ Rights and Plant Improvement Bills restrict the saving, trading, exchanging, and sale of seed. This can have massive ramifications on seed and food sovereignty, agricultural biodiversity, access to diverse seed, and increasing the disparities and inequalities in South African agriculture, food and nutrition. We urgently need to protect and preserve our … [Read more...]
War on waste makes local business more sustainable
Partnerships are the key to success in the waste management and recycling industry, is the conclusion that was arrived at during a workshop in the Eastern Cape. Early in November PETCO hosted a workshop with some of its partners in the Eastern Cape. The aim of the event was to share information around waste management and recycling in the province, outline current plastics … [Read more...]
204 512 people from 160 countries help save Great Barrier Reef
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in Doha, Qatar, on 18 June 2014 was a huge win for the future of the Great Barrier Reef and the millions who united around the world in its passionate support. In the face of intense pressure, the World Heritage Committee held the line and put the Australian Government firmly on notice to take stronger action to protect the Great … [Read more...]
The secret ‘free’ trade agreement lives
The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a highly secretive and expansive free trade agreement between the United States and twelve Pacific Rim countries, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, New Zealand, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, the USA and Vietnam. Despite the global outpouring of opposition to this corporate giveaway, governments around … [Read more...]
Notorious Russian vessel detained for illegal trawling
Following the detention of the Russian-flagged trawler the “Oleg Naydenov” by the Senegalese national navy on charges of illegal fishing, Greenpeace reiterates its support to the government of Senegal for the enforcement of fisheries legislation and calls on the President and his government to remain firm on its commitment to put an end to illegal activities by such … [Read more...]
R15m hemp project goes to seed
A multimillion-rand project launched 14 years ago for South Africa to grow and produce hemp has virtually stalled because of legal glitches, says the government. Ayabulela Ngoqo, the Eastern Cape’s Rural Development and Agrarian Reform Department spokesman, said the project, launched in 1999, had focused on job creation, but in 2006 had come to a halt. Equipment meant to … [Read more...]
New seed legislation spells disaster for small farmers
Civil society organisations from the SADC region, and around the world have condemned the SADC draft Protocol for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (Plant Breeders’ Rights) as spelling disaster for small farmers and food security in the region. These groups, representing millions of farmers in Africa and around the world have submitted their concerns to the SADC … [Read more...]
