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...]
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...]
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...]
Future Policy Award 2010 winners announced
As proven by the Costa Rican Biodiversity Law, exemplary biodiversity legislation can be successfully put into practice. On 25 October, delegates, ministers, decision-makers, media and donors gathered at the Future Policy Award 2010 Ceremony in Nagoya, Japan, to witness the first prize be awarded to Costa Rica and to celebrate the Costa Rican Biodiversity Law as a milestone of … [Read more...]
Green paper sets the tone for SA business’ future
The Department of Environmental Affairs has released the much anticipated and long delayed National Climate Change Response Green Paper. In a brief summary, those points pertinent to you and your business are listed below: South Africa targets: reduction in greenhouse gases of 34% by 2020 and 42% by 2025 below business as usual scenario. The use of incentives and … [Read more...]
