Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project “Agricultural Biotechnology and GMO’s : National and International Structures” Johan Brink, Institute of International Agriculture Michigan State University National Extension Conference Michigan State University March 2003

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project Agricultural Biotechnology 1 st Generation Biotechnology  producing wine, beer, cheese, vaccines 2 nd Generation Biotechnology  conventional breeding, tissue culture techniques 3 rd Generation Biotechnology or “Modern Biotechnology  recombinant DNA technology, GMO’s, genomics

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project Agricultural Biotechnology Modern Biotechnology – GM products  is not a silver bullet or a quick fix to solve the world’s poverty and food security problems  when combined with conventional approaches, it can go a long way in the improvement of crop productivity  does require a new way of thinking, organization and communication

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project Comprehensive Approach to Agricultural Biotechnology Market/Trade Economic Growth Food Security Improved Nutrition R & D Technology Biosafety Varietal Release Farmers Technology Transfer IPR PVP/IPR Extension & Stewardship Public Outreach Agri Industry Outreach Food & Environmental Safety Regulatory Framework Biotech Indus. Seed Indus. Outreach & Communication Conventional Breeding

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project Major Policy Issues in Agricultural Biotechnology Biosafety  Food Safety  Environmental Safety  Regulatory Frameworks  Food Aid Intellectual Property Rights/Plant Variety Protection  Patenting of technology, processes and products

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project Major Policy Issues in Agricultural Biotechnology International Trade  Labeling  Export markets to Europe  Treaties : Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety; Codex allimentarius; WTO rules  Globalization and control of the world’s food supply by multi-national companies

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project Major Policy Issues in Agricultural Biotechnology Communication & Outreach  Public awareness & acceptance  Policy maker awareness  Agricultural Industry awareness  Consumer benefits  Trust in science and regulatory system  Newsworthiness of GM foods

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project Major Policy Issues in Agricultural Biotechnology Public/Private Sector partnerships and Linkages  Private sector concentrate on major crops such as corn, soybean, cotton  Public sector concentrate on papaya, potato, cassava, sweetpotato, banana, etc.  Private sector has deep pockets to comply with regulatory requirements

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project Biotechnology Policy : Challenges and Constraints in Developing Countries No strategies for Communication and Outreach – Policy maker awareness and Public awareness Lack of Human Resources with expertise in Biotechnology related policies Lack of Financial resources to develop and implement policies Lack of political will to adopt biotechnology and address crop productivity Limited number of countries developed and implemented national biotechnology strategies Lack of viable seed industries

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project Biotechnology Policy : Challenges and Constraints in Africa Lack of co-operation among Government Ministries regulating biotechnology derived products Lack of Public-Private sector partnerships that are critical to both R&D and “commercialization” International Trade barriers Food Aid Issues Compliance with/to International Protocols/Treaties Lack of Infrastructure and Institutional Support Structure eg. Biocontainment facilities, PVP/Patent offices, Food safety labs Lack of Risk Assessment Capacity and expertise

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project Elements of a Biosafety Framework to regulate GM products  Legislative component – GM act or law passed by Parliament  Specific GM regulations – linked to the GM act and to be implemented and administered by a Government Department  Biosafety Framework implemented to : - Assess Scientific Risk of GM product - Assess Socio-Economic impacts - Ensure Public Communication,

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project B iosafety Framework in South Africa GMO Executive Council Representatives from Depts. Of Agriculture, Science & Technology, Environmental Affairs, Health, Labor, Trade & Industry, Water Affairs & Forestry Duties: -To advise the Minister of Agriculture on all aspects concerning the development, production, use, application and release of GM Product -To assess the potential Socio-Economic impact of the GM Product -To communicate and interact with the public Scientific Advisory Committee Duties: - Risk Assessment and Management - Appoint Scientific Review Panel GMO Registrar : Department of Agriculture Duties: Biosafety Administration Monitor all GMO facilities and activities Routine inspections Appeal Board Application for GMO Permit for Field test Communication with Public

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project Current Status of Biosafety in Africa

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project Current Status of Biosafety in Africa:2002 Biosafety DevelopmentCountries Have Biosafety GuidelinesTunisia, Morocco, Mauritania, Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt Have Draft LegislationCameroon, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia Have Enacted GM legislationSouth Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi Have National Biotechnology Policy Nigeria, South Africa

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project Regulatory Framework in the USA GM products are regulated by 3 different agencies Department of Agriculture (USDA) – oversees safety for cultivation Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – oversees the safe use of pesticides, including pesticides produced in GM plants Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – ensures products are safe to eat and addresses food labeling issues

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project Roadmap for Commercialization of a GM Product R&D – Technology Development, Field Tests and establish Proof of Concept Product Development – Multi-location field trials, cultivar development and bulking-up of material Regulatory File Development – Perform Food safety analysis (allergenicity, toxicity and nutritional composition) and environmental studies (outcrossing potential, effects on non-target organisms, etc) Obtain “Freedom to Operate” – “Who owns the Intellectual Property of all the components of the product (gene, promoter, variety etc.)?” Dissemination strategy – “How will product reach the farmer?” ; “Will private sector seed companies be involved?” Extension – “ How do farmers grow and cultivate the product?” Stewardship and Liability – Management of the product by farmers, processors and exporters Public Communication of benefits, impacts

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project Source : Clive James, ISAAA

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project CountryArea of GM crops (m ha) Crops USA39.0Soybean, cotton, corn, canola Argentina13.5Soybean, corn Canada3.5Soybean, Canola, Corn China2.1Cotton South Africa0.3Cotton, Corn, Soybean Australia0.1Cotton India<0.1Cotton Global adoption of GM Crops : 2002 Source : Clive James, ISAAA

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project CountryArea of GM crops (m ha) Crops Romania<0.1Soybean Spain<0.1Corn Uruguay<0.1Soybean Mexico<0.1Cotton, Soybean Bulgaria ; Germany ; Honduras<0.1Corn Indonesia<0.1Cotton Columbia<0.1Cotton GM Crops planted in the USA : 2002 Source : Clive James, ISAAA

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project Dominant Transgenic Crops :2002 Source : Clive James, ISAAA

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project Global Adoption Rates of GMO’s Source : Clive James, ISAAA

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project GM Crops planted in the USA : 2002 Planted 39 million ha (66% of total ha) Soybean (HT), Corn (IR;HT), Canola (HT), Cotton (IR;HT), Stacked traits Net gain of 3.3 million ha in % of national soybean area planted to herbicide tolerant RR soybean Increase in planting of Bt Corn in % Decrease in planting of GM cotton Source : Clive James, ISAAA

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project More information on GM Crops International Service for the Acquisition of Agri- Biotech Applications (ISAAA) Crop Biotech Net - ISAAA Global Knowledge Centers Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project (ABSP) at Michigan State University

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project What is “ABSP”  The Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project (ABSP) is a USAID-funded project based in the Institute of International Agriculture at the Michigan State University  Since 1991 ABSP, in collaboration with other US universities and the private sector, has integrated research, product development and policy/regulatory development to assist developing countries in accessing and generating biotechnology and in establishing a regulatory framework for the adoption of biotech crops

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project What is “ABSP”  ABSP focused on GM applications in potatoes, cucurbits, corn and tomatoes  Capacity building in: R&D, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), Technology Transfer and Biosafety  Partner Countries: Costa Rica, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa  Regional Partners: East and Central Africa, Southern Africa

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project Development of tuber moth resistance in potatoes : ABSP, MSU & AGERI

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project ABSP : research management policy networking ABSP is a successful model for Agricultural Biotechnology development

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project Fire Damage to ABSP Offices January 1, 2000  Arson attack on ABSP offices in Agriculture Hall, MSU  Earth Liberation Front (ELF) claim responsibility for fire damage

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project Thank you for your attention !

Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project Europe and GMO’s  Cultural differences ; traditional agriculture system  Small continent and countries ; ecologically vulnerable  Science is criticized and scientists are not trusted  No pressure to improve crop productivity  Food scandals in Europe ; BSE etc.  The role of the media in communicating the biotech message ; “Bad news is not good news” ; GM foods less newsworthy in recent months  Public perception and acceptance