LETTER: Where do political parties stand on GM plants?

As the years go by I am becoming more and more concerned about genetically modified seeds, plants and fruit trees. These “products,” because that is what they are, nature is now a product, replicate what we already have with slight variations. The result is that the company involved now has a patent and has put a price tag on what has always been given to us for free.
Here is an example: Mtunzini is next to a protected area and a nature reserve. The policy taken in the village is that all “alien”plants should be removed. In fact each month one plant is put outside the Spa as an example of what is not a local variety. Mtunzini has successfully managed to preserve the indigenous flora and fauna due to this policy.
But what about genetically modified plants which have a patent on them, that replicate the original with a slight deviation? The eventual outcome of this situation will be that our natural forest through cross-pollination will become the patented variety and belong to a company. Any form of propagation will result in royalty payments. Not only in the reserve itself, but in the residential areas that surround the reserve and on the outlying small holdings and farms.
The Delicious Monster plant is one example. The tubers are used as a potato supplement and the flowers are a type of fruit. Bananas are another prime example as are Avocado Pear trees.
The company in question could sue you and demand payment because you have one of their patented seeds, plants or fruit trees growing in your garden and natural propagation by cross pollination, preserving seeds or propagating via slips will be an offence in the future and liable for prosecution.
Two of our greatest challenges in the 21st century is the preservation of our natural, freely given flora and flora and food security. With the ever rising cost of living, patents on any food source will require that all farmers, in fact anyone growing a vegetable garden in their backyard or who has a fruit tree on their pavement carries the additional cost of having to pay royalties where up until now no such thing has existed in the history of mankind. And they can also be sued for royalties.
Before I cast my vote in August I would like to know where the ANC, the DA, Inkatha and the EFF, being the four main contenders, and the other political parties stand on this issue.
I would also like to know what, if anything, they intend doing about the abolition of patents not only on all food sources in the interests of food security but on South Africa’s natural heritage.
GAIL EVANS
Mtunzini