Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
02ROME1942
2002-04-18 14:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Rome
Cable title:  

MISSION-ITALY BIOTECH ACTION PLAN

Tags:  EAGR ETRD IT WTO 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
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

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