South Africa is the only African country that has approved the commercial production of genetically modified (GM) crops, namely, maize (both white and yellow), soybean and cotton. The planting of the first GM crop (Bt-maize) was approved in 1998.  The traits that have since been approved are insect resistance (Bt genes) and herbicide tolerance (glyphosate).  Both commercial and emerging farmers have adopted these technologies.  The monitoring requirements by the Government of South Africa for these different crops and traits vary. Companies selling these technologies have placed a high priority on monitoring aspects they deem important to protect their commercial interests in the crops they have developed.Monitoring by the Government of South Africa now falls under the jurisdiction of the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).  Its mandate is contained in the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act No. 10 of 2004.