On Bollgard seeds from South Africa

On Bollgard seeds from South Africa

With regard to an article published in The Jakarta Post on
March 17, 2001, on Genetically modified cotton seed arrives in
Makassar from South Africa, we would like to clarify some points
made in the said article.

Upon the issuance of Minister of Agriculture Decree No.
107/Kpts./KB.430/2/2001, we received a permit from the director
general for plantation crops (dated March 2) to import 40.2 tons
of Bollgard cotton seed from South Africa.

As the developer/producer of Bollgard seeds, we emphasize that
all procedures for import and quarantine have been fully complied
with in accordance with the existing laws in Indonesia.

The Bollgard seeds were imported from South Africa and
transported into Makassar, Indonesia, by chartered flight. The
seeds have undergone a preclearance inspection conducted by
Indonesian Quarantine officials in South Africa. As we are aware,
the objective of conducting quarantine is to minimize the risk of
Plant Quarantine Pests from exporting countries in entering
Indonesia. The preclearance inspection as done by Indonesian
Quarantine officials in South Africa is, in fact, better because
the risks are eliminated in the country of origin and this also
prevents more losses in case the seeds are rejected due to some
problems.

Such agreements between two countries, i.e. Indonesia and
South Africa, are possible and do not go against Law No. 16 or
any other existing international accord.

Specifically with regard to the importation of the Bollgard
cotton seeds from South Africa, we have received a guarantee from
the government/authority body of South Africa which certified the
seeds were free from the pests and, at the same time, Indonesian
Quarantine officials conducted a direct inspection in South
Africa to confirm this.

We hope that this information is shared with the readers of
the Post as the article on March 17 is damaging to Monsanto's
reputation. Please do not hesitate to contact me at 3903141 or
tri.soekirman@monsanto.com.

TRI SOEKIRMAN

Corp. Communication Manager

Monsanto Indonesia