GMO RICE: GOG WOULD WELCOME PUBLIC FORUM TO

UNCLAS ACCRA 002905

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

USDA FOR FAS/FRANK LEE, CHUCK ALEXANDER, USDA FOR
FAS/MHENNEY, KATHERINE KAHN, USDA FOR FAS/RANDY HAGER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ECON EAID ETRD NI GH
SUBJECT: GMO RICE: GOG WOULD WELCOME PUBLIC FORUM TO
CLARIFY MISCONCEPTIONS

REF: SECSTATE 136471


1. SUMMARY: Ambassador Bridgewater met with GoG Minister of
Food and Agriculture Ernest Debrah on November 28, 2006 to
address GoG concerns about American rice imports to Ghana.
The Minister indicated many of the explanations he had
received about the August shipment, which contained trace
amounts of regulated genetically engineered rice, were too
technical. He was receptive to the idea of a televised forum
during which the public could hear an informed panel discuss
the situation to demystify any misconceptions about the
safety of genetically modified rice, specifically, and
agricultural biotechnology, generally. END SUMMARY.


2. BACKGROUND: In August 2006, a shipment of U.S. rice to
Ghana was found to have trace amounts of regulated
genetically engineered rice. Despite repeated proactive
communication by Embassy Accra with the Ministry of Food and
Agriculture to clarify the situation and emphasize the safety
of the rice for consumption (ref 136471),confusion remains
both within the Ministry and the Ghanaian public. Negative
press articles continue to appear in local media about
genetically modified American rice exports to Ghana; a
November 27 front page headline in the Business and Financial
Times suggested Ghanaians "beware of banned U.S. rice." The
environmental NGO Friends of the Earth recently organized a
protest outside of the Ministry on this topic. END
BACKGROUND.


3. On November 28, AgAttache (FAS Lagos) and EconOff
accompanied the Ambassador to a meeting with Minister of Food
and Agriculture Debrah, who said the information his Chief
Director received from the Embassy was very technical and
requested a simpler explanation on the issue. The Ambassador
explained that biotechnology is an important tool in
advancing agriculture today and stressed that the rice the
U.S. exports to Ghana and to the rest of the world is also
eaten by American consumers. The Ambassador also told the
Minister that the product in question had gone through an
extensive scientific review under the U.S. food safety
regulatory system and was deemed safe for use in food and the
environment. She explained that, as of November 24, 2006,
Liberty Link Rice 601 was deregulated by the U.S. Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service, and can now be used
commercially in the U.S.


4. Minister Debrah asked how the regulated strain found its
way into the food chain. AgAttache told the Minister that
USDA is conducting an investigation to determine the
circumstances surrounding the release.


5. Minister Debrah was receptive to our explanation. He said
agricultural biotechnology is a new scientific field and many
people in Ghana lack accurate information about this issue.
The Ambassador told the Minister that the Embassy would be
happy to work with his Ministry to better inform the public
about agricultural biotechnology. Minister Debrah welcomed
the idea and said he would instruct his staff to work with
the Embassy to organize a televised information session on
agricultural biotechnology, which would help to clarify any
outstanding confusion about agricultural biotechnology.
BRIDGEWATER