agricultural biotechnology support project “agricultural biotechnology and gmo’s : national and...

Agricultural Biotechnology Support ProjectAgricultural 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

24 -27 March 2003

Agricultural Biotechnology Support ProjectAgricultural Biotechnology Support ProjectAgricultural Biotechnology Support ProjectAgricultural Biotechnology Support Project

Agricultural Biotechnology

1st Generation Biotechnology

producing wine, beer, cheese, vaccines

2nd Generation Biotechnology

conventional breeding, tissue culture techniques

3rd Generation Biotechnology or “Modern Biotechnology

recombinant DNA technology, GMO’s, genomics


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


Comprehensive Approach to Agricultural Biotechnology

Market/Trade

Economic GrowthFood Security

Improved Nutrition

R & D

Technology

BiosafetyVarietal Release

Farmers

TechnologyTransfer

IPR

PVP/IPR

Extension &Stewardship

Public Outreach

Agri Industry Outreach

Food & Environmental Safety

Regulatory Framework

Biotech Indus.Seed Indus.

Outreach & Communication

Conventional Breeding


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



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



Communication & Outreach

Public awareness & acceptance

Policy maker awareness

Agricultural Industry awareness

Consumer benefits

Trust in science and regulatory system

Newsworthiness of GM foods



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


Biotechnology Policy : Challenges and Constraints in Developing

CountriesNo strategies for Communication and Outreach – Policy maker awareness and Public awarenessLack of Human Resources with expertise in Biotechnology related policies Lack of Financial resources to develop and implement policiesLack of political will to adopt biotechnology and address crop productivityLimited number of countries developed and implemented national biotechnology strategies Lack of viable seed industries


Biotechnology Policy : Challenges and Constraints in Africa

Lack of co-operation among Government Ministries regulating biotechnology derived productsLack of Public-Private sector partnerships that are critical to both R&D and “commercialization”International Trade barriersFood Aid IssuesCompliance with/to International Protocols/TreatiesLack of Infrastructure and Institutional Support Structure eg. Biocontainment facilities, PVP/Patent offices, Food safety labsLack of Risk Assessment Capacity and expertise


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,


Biosafety 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 AgricultureDuties: Biosafety AdministrationMonitor all GMO facilities and activitiesRoutine inspectionsAppeal Board

Application for GMO Permit for Field test

Communication

with Public


Current Status of Biosafety in Africa


Current Status of Biosafety in Africa:2002

Biosafety Development Countries

Have Biosafety Guidelines Tunisia, Morocco, Mauritania, Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt

Have Draft Legislation Cameroon, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia

Have Enacted GM legislation South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi

Have National Biotechnology Policy

Nigeria, South Africa


Regulatory Framework in the USA

GM products are regulated by 3 different agenciesDepartment of Agriculture (USDA) – oversees safety for cultivationEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA) – oversees the safe use of pesticides, including pesticides produced in GM plantsFood and Drug Administration (FDA) – ensures products are safe to eat and addresses food labeling issues


Roadmap for Commercialization of a GM Product

R&D – Technology Development, Field Tests and establish Proof of ConceptProduct 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 exportersPublic Communication of benefits, impacts


Source : Clive James, ISAAA


Country Area of GM crops (m ha)

Crops

USA 39.0 Soybean, cotton, corn, canola

Argentina 13.5 Soybean, corn

Canada 3.5 Soybean, Canola, Corn

China 2.1 Cotton

South Africa 0.3 Cotton, Corn, Soybean

Australia 0.1 Cotton

India <0.1 Cotton

Global adoption of GM Crops : 2002



Country Area of GM crops (m ha)

Crops

Romania <0.1 Soybean

Spain <0.1 Corn

Uruguay <0.1 Soybean

Mexico <0.1 Cotton, Soybean

Bulgaria ; Germany ; Honduras <0.1 Corn

Indonesia <0.1 Cotton

Columbia <0.1 Cotton

GM Crops planted in the USA : 2002



Dominant Transgenic Crops :2002

62%

13%

5%

4%

4%

4%

4%

4%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

HT Soybean

Bt Maize

HT Canola

HT Maize

Bt Cotton

HT Cotton

Bt/HT Cotton

Bt/HT Maize

Cro

p/T

rait

% Transgenic



Global Adoption Rates of GMO’s

36.5

6.8 312.4

72

3425

140

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Soybean 51% Cotton 20% Canola 12% Maize 9%

Glo

bal A

rea

(Mill

ion

ha)

Transgenic area

Global Area



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 200279% of national soybean area planted to herbicide tolerant RR soybeanIncrease in planting of Bt Corn in 200210% Decrease in planting of GM cotton



More information on GM Crops

International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA)

http://www.isaaa.orgCrop Biotech Net - ISAAA Global Knowledge Centers

http://www.isaaa.org/kcAgricultural Biotechnology Support Project (ABSP) at Michigan State University http://www.iia.msu.edu/absp


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


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 ProjectAgricultural Biotechnology Support Project

Development of tuber moth resistance in potatoes : ABSP, MSU & AGERI


ABSP : 1991 - 2003

researchresearch

managementmanagement

policypolicy

networkingnetworking

ABSP is a successful model

for Agricultural Biotechnology development


Fire Damage to ABSP OfficesJanuary 1, 2000

Arson attack on ABSP offices in Agriculture Hall, MSU

Earth Liberation Front (ELF)claim responsibility for fire damage


Thank you for your attention !

http://www.iia.msu.edu/absp


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

agricultural biotechnology support project “agricultural biotechnology and gmo’s : national and...

Documents

rd generation biotechnology

communication slide

genomics slide

food security problems

worlds food supply

major crops

cotton public sector

regulatory requirements