MISSION-ITALY BIOTECH ACTION PLAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ROME 001942 SIPDIS EUR/ERA FOR HEN-NIL, EB/TPP/ATT FOR PEREZ E FOR SHUB STATE PASS USTR FOR STROJE, NOVELLI STATE PASS USDA FOR APHIS/SMCAMMON, USDA/FAS/BLUM STATE/FAS/ITP/MACKE, USDA/FAS/OA/SLUTSKY STATE PASS FDS FOR EFLAMM UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 02 ROME 01942 01 OF 04 181506Z SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ETRD IT ETRD IT ETRD IT ETRD IT WTOEAGR WTOEAGR WTOEAGR WTO SUBJECT: MISSION-ITALY BIOTECH ACTION PLAN REF: ROME (A) 1697 (B) ROME 1457 (C) ROME 1726 ¶1. MISSION ITALY'S BIOTECH WORKING GROUP (BWG) HAS MAPPED OUT ITS ACTION PLAN FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS. UNCLASSIFIED IT REFLECTS THE COLLECTIVE EFFORTS OF AGR, ECON, SCI, PA, FCS, LABOR, CG-MILAN, CG- NAPLES, AND CG-FLORENCE. BECAUSE MISSION ITALY SHARES MANY COMMON OBJECTIVES AND PRIORITIES REGARDING U.S. BIOTECHNOLOGY POLICY WITH OUR COLLEAGUES FROM FODAG AND EMBASSY VATICAN, THE PLAN ALSO REFLECTS THEIR INPUT AND WORK PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. ¶2. THE ACTION PLAN IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS. PART I COVERS EMBASSY ITALY'S BILATERAL AGENDA; AND PART II COVERS THE UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 03 ROME 01942 01 OF 04 181506Z COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS BETWEEN EMBASSY ROME, EMBASSY VATICAN AND FODAG. ¶3. THE PRINCIPAL GOALS OF THE BIOTECHNOLOGY WORKING GROUP ARE TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN U.S. APPROVED BIOTECH PRODUCTS AND TO PROMOTE BIOTECHNOLOGY AS AN IMPORTANT PART OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN DEVELOPED AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. OUR STRATEGY IN ITALY IS TO HELP THE GROWING NETWORK OF GOVERNMENT, ACADEMIC, INDUSTRIA, AND NGO OPINION LEADERS WHO SUPPORT BIOTECHNOLOGY DEVELOP AN EFFECTIVE ACTION PLAN TO COUNTER WELL-ORGANIZED BIOTECH OPPONENTS. BY SUPPORTING THIS POSITIVE NETWORK WITH U.S. POLICY MESSAGES, SCIENTIFIC EXCHANGES, AND GRASSROOTS ACTIVITIES SUCH AS FARMER-TO- FARMER CONTACTS, AND DIALOGUE WITH OBJECTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSUMER GROUPS, WE WILL STRESS THE BENEFITS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY TO GROWERS AND CONSUMERS. WE WILL PROVIDE ACCURATE AND UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION TO OPINION LEADERS ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL RISK, AND ABOUT THE INCREASING SOPHISTICATION OF BIOTECHNOLOGY. UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 04 ROME 01942 01 OF 04 181506Z WE WILL BREAK DOWN THE FALSE PERCEPTIONS THAT HIGH-QUALITY AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AND BIOTECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS ARE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE BY DEMONSTRATING THAT BIOTECHNOLOGY CAN REDUCE THE VULNERABILITY OF MANY QUALITY PRODUCTS TO PESTS AND DISEASE WHILE PRESERVING THEIR TRADITIONAL QUALITIES. AT THE EU AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELS (E.G. WTO AND UN AGENCIES),WE WILL SUPPORT EFFORTS TO RESTART THE APPROVALS PROCESS AND REOPEN TRADE, AND SUPPORT U.S. POLICY ON PRACTICAL APPROACHES TO LABELING AND TRACEABILITY WHICH ARE NON-DISCRIMINATORY. WE ALSO WILL SUPPORT THE BIOSAFETY CLEARING HOUSE AND OTHER EFFORTS TO INCREASE THE INFORMATION AND DECISION MAKING CAPACITY OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES WITH REGARD TO BIOTECHNOLOGY. ¶4. MISSION ITALY'S BIOTECH ACTION PLAN - OBJECTIVE 1: TEST THE OFT-REPEATED HYPOTHESIS THAT 90 PERCENT OF ITALIANS OPPOSE AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY. ACTION: UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED PTQ8078 PAGE 01 ROME 01942 02 OF 04 181507Z ACTION EUR-00 INFO LOG-00 AID-00 AIT-03 CEA-01 CIAE-00 CTME-00 DODE-00 ITCE-00 SRPP-00 EB-00 EXME-00 E-00 UTED-00 VC-00 FRB-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 ITC-01 L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-01 OMB-01 OPIC-01 ACE-00 SP-00 SSO-00 SS-00 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 FMP-00 R-00 EPAE-00 ECA-00 DRL-02 G-00 SAS-00 /012W -------------- 882DDB 181507Z /38 P 181411Z APR 02 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3333 INFO WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION COLLECTIVE AMCONSUL FLORENCE AMCONSUL MILAN AMCONSUL NAPLES USDA FAS WASHDC 2096 USDOC WASHDC UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 04 ROME 001942 SIPDIS EUR/ERA FOR HEN-NIL, EB/TPP/ATT FOR PEREZ E FOR SHUB STATE PASS USTR FOR STROJE, NOVELLI STATE PASS USDA FOR APHIS/SMCAMMON, USDA/FAS/BLUM STATE/FAS/ITP/MACKE, USDA/FAS/OA/SLUTSKY STATE PASS FDS FOR EFLAMM UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 02 ROME 01942 02 OF 04 181507Z SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ETRD IT ETRD IT ETRD IT ETRD IT WTOEAGR WTOEAGR WTOEAGR WTO SUBJECT: MISSION-ITALY BIOTECH ACTION PLAN - ANALYZE THE 2000 POLLING DATA BY REGION, DEMOGRAPHICS, INCOME, AND EDUCATION. (PAO, EARLY SPRING) - ASSESS WHETHER THESE DATA ACCURATELY CAPTURE THE BREADTH OF ITALIAN PUBLIC OPINION. (MISSION ITALY, LATE SPRING) OBJEC TIVE 2: CREATE DEMAND FOR BIOTECH IN ITALY ACTION: - BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN SCIENTISTS AND FARMERS (SPG/SUMMER 2002, CG-MILAN, SCI, FAS) - FARMER-TO-FARMER DIALOGUE TO INTRODUCE ITALIAN FARMERS TO U.S. AND EUROPEAN FARMERS WITH FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE GROWING BIOTECH CROPS. (SUMMER/FALL 2002, FAS) UNCLASSIFIED - SUPPORT ITALIAN BIOTECH INDUSTRY EFFORTS TO CREATE GREATER ACCEPTANCE FOR BIOTECH UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 03 ROME 01942 02 OF 04 181507Z OBJECTIVE 3: CONTINUE CONSUMER OUTREACH/EDUCATION ACTION: - EXPAND DIALOGUE WITH OPEN-MINDED CONSUMER AND ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS (SCI/LABOR/CGS) - DEVELOP LIBRARY OF KEY DOCUMENTS TRANSLATED INTO ITALIAN (MISSION) - FUTURE GUEST SPEAKER PROGRAMS: NORMAN BORLAUG; ALLISON SNOW; AND ALOYSIUS JUMA (MISSION) OBJECTIVE 4: USE ITALIAN INTEREST IN BILATERAL COOPERATION TO REFOCUS BIOTECH DEBATE ON SCIENTIFIC MERITS AND BENEFITS OF THE TECHNOLOGY ACTION: - CONTINUE WORK WITH SANTI COMMISSION TO DEVELOP A COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AGREEMENT. (FALL, SCI) - ENCOURAGE ITALY TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR BIOTECH RESEARCH AND TO BEGIN FIELD-TESTING BIOTECH CROPS. (ONGOING, AGR/SCI/ ECON/CGS) OBJECTIVE 5: ADVANCE OUR EU TRADE AGENDA ACTION: - COORDINATE WITH USEU BRUSSELS AND OTHER EU POSTS, AS FOR EXAMPLE DURING THE APRIL ECMIN CONFERENCE IN ROME, TO ENSURE THAT GOI GENERAL SUPPORT FOR BIOTECH TRANSLATES TO ITALIAN PROACTIVITY WITHIN THE EU. (ECON) - PREPARE PERIODIC BIOTECH STRATEGY PROPOSALS FOR WASHINGTON AGENCIES (ECON) UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 04 ROME 01942 02 OF 04 181507Z - CARRY OUT DEMARCHES AS INSTRUCTED AND REPORT RESULTS AS APPROPRIATE. (ECON) - IDENTIFY MARKET ACCESS PROBLEMS AS THEY ARISE AND REPORT TO WASHINGTON WITH APPROPRIATE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REMEDIAL ACTION (ECON/AGR) UNCLASSIFIED ¶5. COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS BETWEEN EMBASSY ROME, EMBASSY VATICAN AND FODAG - THE CENTRAL FOCUS OF OUR COLLABORATIVE EFFORT IS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE ADVANTAGES OF BIOTECH FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. THIS STRATEGY HAS RESONANCE FOR FODAG AND VATICAN AS WELL AS WITH ITALIAN INSTITUTIONS, OPINION LEADERS, JOURNALISTS, AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE. THE BWG TAKES ITS CUE FROM RECENT STATEMENTS BY UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE AL LARSON IN WHICH HE EFFECTIVELY EXPLAINS THE INTER- DEPENDENCIES BETWEEN GOOD GOVERNANCE, DEVELOPMENT, TRADE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY, AGRICULTURE, AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED PTQ8081 PAGE 01 ROME 01942 03 OF 04 181507Z ACTION EUR-00 INFO LOG-00 AID-00 AIT-03 CEA-01 CIAE-00 CTME-00 DODE-00 ITCE-00 SRPP-00 EB-00 EXME-00 E-00 UTED-00 VC-00 FRB-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 ITC-01 L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-01 OMB-01 OPIC-01 ACE-00 SP-00 SSO-00 SS-00 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 FMP-00 R-00 EPAE-00 ECA-00 DRL-02 G-00 SAS-00 /012W -------------- 882DE6 181507Z /38 P 181411Z APR 02 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3334 INFO WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION COLLECTIVE AMCONSUL FLORENCE AMCONSUL MILAN AMCONSUL NAPLES USDA FAS WASHDC 2097 USDOC WASHDC UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 04 ROME 001942 SIPDIS EUR/ERA FOR HEN-NIL, EB/TPP/ATT FOR PEREZ E FOR SHUB STATE PASS USTR FOR STROJE, NOVELLI STATE PASS USDA FOR APHIS/SMCAMMON, USDA/FAS/BLUM STATE/FAS/ITP/MACKE, USDA/FAS/OA/SLUTSKY STATE PASS FDS FOR EFLAMM UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 02 ROME 01942 03 OF 04 181507Z SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ETRD IT ETRD IT ETRD IT ETRD IT WTOEAGR WTOEAGR WTOEAGR WTO SUBJECT: MISSION-ITALY BIOTECH ACTION PLAN "WE NEED TO USE ALL THE TOOLS AT OUR DISPOSAL: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, TRADE AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES. IN SHORT, BIOTECHNOLOGY IS NOT THREAT TO THE ENVIRONMENT; RATHER, SCIENTIFICALLY-ASSESSED BIOTECH CROP VARIETIES ARE A TOOL FOR ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT." OBJECTIVE 1: ENCOURAGE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TO BECOME MORE EXPRESSIVE PROPONENTS OF THE TECHNOLOGY. ACTION: - USE THE WORLD FOOD SUMMIT TO BUILD CONSENSUS IN FAVOR OF THE TECHNOLOGY. PROVIDE A PLATFORM FOR US AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TO JOINTLY ENDORSE THE BENEFITS OF BIOTECH AS A KEY TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. (JUNE 10-12, FODAG) (NOTE: SECRETARY VENEMAN HAS CONFIRMED HER PARTICIPATION AT THE WFS. U/S LARSON IS EXPECTED TO ATTEND.) - BUILD ON THE EINAUDI FOUNDATION SPONSORED VISIT OF PROFESSOR CHARLES ARNTZEN, ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY ALOYSIUS JUMA TO DISCUSS THE NUTRITIONAL AND HEALTH BENEFITS OF UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 03 ROME 01942 03 OF 04 181507Z BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR THE DEVELOPING WORLD. (MAY 29-31, SCI, FODAG, VATICAN) UNCLASSIFIED - VISIT BY A DELEGATION OF AFRICAN BIOTECHNOLOGISTS FROM AFRICABIO, THE AFRICAN BIOTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION, AND PROF. JUMA, HARVARD UNIVERSITY - STRENGTHEN TIES WITH THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR GENETIC ENGINEERING AND BIOLOGY, TRIESTE; AND THE OVERSEAS AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTE, FLORENCE. (SPRING/SUMMER, SCI) OBJECTIVE 2: SUPPORT EMBASSY VATICAN INITIATIVE TO TAKE SENIOR VATICAN DELEGATION TO SEE FIELD RESEARCH TO LEARN ABOUT THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. ACTION: - IDENTI FY APPROPRIATE VATICAN OFFICIALS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM. (SPRING/SUMMER; VATICAN) - IDENTIFY APPROPRIATE COUNTRY(IES) FOR THE DELEGATION TO VISIT. (SPRING/SUMMER; VATICAN, FAS) - SECURE NECESSARY FUNDING. (SUMMER; VATICAN, FAS, PAO) UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 04 ROME 01942 03 OF 04 181507Z OBJECTIVE 3: SUPPORT FODAG EFFORT TO SECURE U.S. EXPERT TO ASSIST FAO IN DEVELOPING ITS OWN POSITION ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND BIOTECH. ACTION: - (MAR/APR; FODAG) OBJECTIVE 4: CONTINUE MEETINGS BETWEEN FAO'S WORKING GROUP ON BIOTECH AND OUR OWN BIOTECH WORKING GROUP ACTION: - SCHEDULE LUNCH. (MAY; FODAG, SCI, FAS) CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS APRIL 19 EU ECMIN MTG IN ROME TO DISCUSS BIOTECH STRATEGY UNCLASSIFIED MAY 29-31 VISIT BY PROFESSOR CHARLES ARNTZEN, ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY. SPONSORED BY THE EINAUDI FOUNDATION. JUNE 10-12 WORLD FOOD SUMMIT, ROME UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED PTQ8082 PAGE 01 ROME 01942 04 OF 04 181507Z ACTION EUR-00 INFO LOG-00 AID-00 AIT-03 CEA-01 CIAE-00 CTME-00 DODE-00 ITCE-00 SRPP-00 EB-00 EXME-00 E-00 UTED-00 VC-00 FRB-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 ITC-01 L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-01 OMB-01 OPIC-01 ACE-00 SP-00 SSO-00 SS-00 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 FMP-00 R-00 EPAE-00 ECA-00 DRL-02 G-00 SAS-00 /012W -------------- 882DE9 181507Z /38 P 181411Z APR 02 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3335 INFO WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION COLLECTIVE AMCONSUL FLORENCE AMCONSUL MILAN AMCONSUL NAPLES USDA FAS WASHDC 2098 USDOC WASHDC UNCLAS SECTION 04 OF 04 ROME 001942 SIPDIS EUR/ERA FOR HEN-NIL, EB/TPP/ATT FOR PEREZ E FOR SHUB STATE PASS USTR FOR STROJE, NOVELLI STATE PASS USDA FOR APHIS/SMCAMMON, USDA/FAS/BLUM STATE/FAS/ITP/MACKE, USDA/FAS/OA/SLUTSKY STATE PASS FDS FOR EFLAMM UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 02 ROME 01942 04 OF 04 181507Z SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ETRD IT ETRD IT ETRD IT ETRD IT WTOEAGR WTOEAGR WTOEAGR WTO SUBJECT: MISSION-ITALY BIOTECH ACTION PLAN JULY 10-12 RAVELLO BIOTECH CONFERENCE, SPONSORED BY TOR VERGATA UNIVERSITY AND THE INTERNATIONAL CONSORTIUM OF AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH LATE SEPTEMBER AFRICABIO VISIT WITH PROF. JUMA, HARVARD UNIVERSITY. SEMBLER UNCLASSIFIED > 2002ROME01942 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED