Question NW2110 to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and FisheriesQUESTION
22 August 2017 - NW2110
Mokoena, Mr L to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and FisheriesQUESTION
(1) Which private seed companies are involved in the production of both conventional and genetically modified seeds in the water efficient maize for Africa programme; (2) (a) are the licensing agreements exclusive or non-exclusive and (b) for what duration?
Reply:
1. Private seed companies involved (sub-licensed) in the production of conventional WEMA seeds are Jermart Seeds, Quality Seed and Capstone.
Private seed companies involved (sub-licensed) in the production of genetically modified WEMA seeds are Jermat Seeds, Klein Karoo, United Seed, Monsanto, DuPont Pioneer and Capstone.
At the moment the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) is producing limited quantities (about 120 tonnes) of certified seed of conventional WEMA varieties (WE3128 and WE4145) as a stop-gap measure to ensure that WEMA seeds are available.
2. (a) (b) The current licence agreements are all non-exclusive and the licence agreements are open-ended subject to satisfactory performance with respect to seed quantities produced.