The South African Department of Minerals and Energy may use genetically modified canola for producing biofuels, which would be used with Roundup herbicide produced by Monsanto. There are plans to plant 70,000 ha near East London and process it at a nearby biofuels plant for export to the EU. According to a report in the Cape Times today, a representative of the NGO Third World Investment Gateway is concerned that farmers who start the programme would not be able to switch later to crops that are not "Roundup ready". Reports from the WHO show that Roundup remains in the soil, and could prevent growth of other crops.
Several studies have pinpointed Roundup as an endrocrinic disrupter, affecting hormonal balance and immune systems, with offspring being especially vulnerable.
