US embassy cable - 05ROME2543

UNCLAS  ROME 002543 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
STATE FOR E, EB - SPIRNAK, EB/TPP/BTT - MALAC, 
OES/ETC - NEUMANN AND IO/EDA - KOTOK, AF/EPS 
USDA FOR FAS - BRICHEY, LREICH AND RHUGHES 
USDA FOR OSEC - SLUTSKY 
USAID FOR EGAT - MOORE, BERTRAM AND LEWIS 
 
FROM U.S. MISSION TO THE UN AGENCIES IN ROME 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: EAGR, ETRD, SENV, EAID, AORC, XA, VT, FAO, WFP 
SUBJECT:  AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY ACTIVITY IN AFRICA: 
USAID/REDSO MEETINGS WITH FAO, WFP AND HOLY SEE 
 
REF: 04 ROME 002436 
 
1. Summary: USUN-Rome arranged for Dr. Michael Hall, 
Regional Biotechnology Advisor for USAID's Regional 
Economic Development Services Office (REDSO) based in 
Nairobi, Kenya, to meet with representatives at FAO and 
WFP.  Hall also met with an official from the Holy See (to 
be covered in septel from Embassy Vatican).  Dr. Hall 
briefed these agencies on USG-supported efforts to develop 
Africa-focused a) agricultural biotechnology research; b) 
national policies and regulatory infrastructure for 
biosafety and intellectual property; and c) greater public 
awareness on agricultural biotechnology.  FAO currently 
supports the dissemination of agricultural biotechnology 
(ag biotech) in Africa in a variety of ways and is seeking 
resources to continue this work, and WFP has well-defined 
policies in place to accommodate genetically modified (GM) 
commodities for food aid procurement and delivery in 
African countries.  USUN Rome recommends that USAID 
consider options for closer collaboration with FAO's 
efforts on ag biotech in Africa.   End summary. 
 
2. Dr. Hall updated FAO and WFP representatives on ag 
biotech projects throughout the REDSO-supported countries 
in Eastern and Southern Africa.  He described REDSO's work 
with regional institutions such as Association for 
Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central 
Africa (ASARECA) and the Common Market for Eastern and 
Southern Africa (COMESA), as well as with national 
governments and NGOs in East and Southern African regions 
to develop ag biotech activities in support of USAID 
strategic objectives on agriculture and trade.  REDSO is 
supporting ag biotech research for the eventual protection 
of important African staple foods, (e.g. mosaic virus 
resistant cassava in East and Southern Africa, fungus and 
nematode resistant highland bananas in Uganda, maize 
resistant to post harvest pests in Kenya, and livestock 
vaccines in Kenya).  In addition to these long-term 
research efforts, REDSO supports the design and 
implementation of locally appropriate regulatory systems 
for ag biotech.  REDSO is trying to address myths and 
misconceptions about ag biotech by providing accurate and 
complete information to key stakeholders in policy, media 
and government. 
 
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FAO 
--- 
 
3. Per reftel, FAO has explicitly addressed the use of ag 
biotech to meet the needs of developing countries in the 
latest edition of the State of the Food and Agriculture 
(SOFA 2003-2004) Report.  FAO has chosen ag biotech as one 
of its Priority Areas for Interdisciplinary Action (PAIA), 
has an ag biotech website that receives 30,000 visits per 
month in five languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French 
and Spanish), hosts a 2000-member electronic "Biotechnology 
in Food and Agriculture Forum," and has launched a 
searchable database providing information on crop 
biotechnology products and techniques in use or in the 
pipeline in developing countries.  Using some U.S. arrears 
funds, FAO's Crop and Grasslands Services (AGPC) launched 
an Africa Biotechnology Information Network (ABIN) in 2004 
to assist information exchange for the use of biotechnology 
applications to support food security and poverty 
alleviation among smallholder farmers, but funds will run 
out by the end of this year. 
 
4. FAO has technical and support functions dealing with the 
practical aspects of handling genetically modified (GM) 
seeds, crops and feeds in Kenya and Swaziland (projects are 
also in development for Benin, Tanzania and Uganda).  As 
part of a global assessment of plant breeding and 
biotechnology, FAO has surveyed 20 African nations and 
organized two African-based workshops in 2004 to address 
expressed needs and demands.  FAO has provided technical 
training for GM seed testing and variety verification in 
collaboration with the International Seed Testing 
Association in Egypt and South Africa.  FAO's searchable 
database inventory of state-of-the-art biotechnology 
products, GMOs and techniques has contributors from 20 
African countries.  Based on these activities, several of 
which seem to complement the ongoing work of USAID in the 
region, FAO staff suggested there might be opportunities 
 
 
for closer cooperation with REDSO in the future. 
 
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WFP 
--- 
 
5. Dr. Hall updated representatives of WFP's Office of 
Communications on a REDSO supported regional biosafety 
development activity for COMESA that includes reviewing 
food aid procurement and distribution in East and Southern 
Africa with respect to GM grains.  Dr. Hall obtained data 
from WFP on food procurement in the region to aid the 
analytical phase of this activity.  The discussion with WFP 
established that the organization is well informed on 
current trends in GM production and has consistent policies 
in place that respect government regulations on GM 
commodities for both supplier and recipient countries. 
These policies reduce the potential for recurrence of the 
2002 Zambia and Zimbabwe scenario for dislocations 
resulting from unanticipated rejections of GM food aid 
commodities. 
 
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Conclusion 
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6. FAO has made efforts to expand information about and 
access to ag biotech in African countries and needs 
additional resources to continue this work.  FAO has 
expressed interest in collaboration with/support from 
REDSO.  USUN Rome recommends that USAID and other US 
Government agencies consider providing support for 
collaboration between REDSO and FAO for the dissemination 
of ag biotech in Africa. 
 
HALL 
 
 
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 2005ROME02543 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED