US embassy cable - 04MAPUTO1624

UNCLAS MAPUTO 001624 
 
SIPDIS 
STATE FOR AF/S - HTREGER, OES/ETC - HLEE, EB/TPP/ABT - 
RSINGH 
USDA FOR FAS/BIG - JPPASSINO 
USDOC FOR RTELCHIN 
PRETORIA FOR AG ATTACHE - SREYNOLDS 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV, ETRD, EAGR, EAID, MZ 
SUBJECT: MOZAMBIQUE: UPDATE ON BIOSAFETY DEVELOPMENTS 
 
REF: A. STATE 259661 
 
B. MAPUTO 01174 
 
1. On December 13 emboff and econ/commercial assistant met 
with Calisto Bias, Director of Plant Development, National 
Institute of Agronomic Investigation (INIA) to learn about 
Mozambique's recent biosafety developments. INIA is a key 
participant in an inter-ministerial commission that addresses 
biosafety concerns and formulates legislation regarding the 
protection of biodiversity. Biosafety regulations have been 
drafted, which are expected to be approved in mid-late 2005, 
according to Bias. He was reluctant to disclose specific 
information, but emphasized that the new rules would, in 
contrast to the total ban currently in effect, allow for the 
import of some living modified organisms (LMOs) and 
genetically modified organisms (GMOs). (Note: At present the 
distribution within Mozambique of LMOs and GMOs is not 
permitted. Import of LMO food aid is allowed for transit to 
neighboring countries or, in the case of wheat, provided that 
it is milled prior to being distributed locally.) Bias added 
that biosafety legislation is being developed in accordance 
with the spirit of the Cartagena Protocol. 
 
2. In January 2005 commission members will participate in a 
closed seminar on the harmonization of biosafety regulations 
among Lusophone countries. In May the Ministry of 
Agriculture will send someone to the Second Meeting of the 
Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. Several INIA 
representatives will also attend. 
 
3. Comment: Mozambique currently has very little agricultural 
trade with the US. Rather than closing the door tighter, the 
GRM is now in the process of easing the entry of certain LMO 
and GMO products. One factor in the GRM's acceptance of GMOs 
is its interest in using GMO cotton seeds to improve local 
cotton production. Mozambique welcomes Title I - Food for 
Progress commodity donations. If a Title I program is 
granted to Mozambique in 2005, we expect no GMO-related 
conflicts (Ref B). 
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