REPORT ON BIOSAFETY WORKSHOP IN EGYPT

UNCLAS CAIRO 005872 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR USDA/FAS/ICD/FID/SBEASLEY, OA/BIG/ARUDE, FAA/RHAGER DEPT FOR EP/MSPIRNAK, NEA/ELA E.O. 12958:N/A TAGS: EAGR ETRD BEXP USTR TBIO TSPL EG SUBJECT: REPORT ON BIOSAFETY WORKSHOP IN EGYPT Ref: FAS 679567; FAS 679988 ¶1. SUMMARY: The Office of Agricultural Affairs hosted a ?Best International Practices for Developing Biosafety Regulatory Systems? workshop in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, from September 5-6, 2006. Local and international biosafety experts made presentations on the benefits of agriculture biotechnology, experiences under various regulatory regimes, and factors to consider when developing a regulatory system. Egyptian participants were from the Ministries of Agriculture, Health, Environment, Foreign Affairs, and Trade and Industry. Private sector stakeholders also attended. END SUMMARY. ¶2. Each 45 minute round-table session was followed by a discussion. Topics included: 1) Biotechnology?s potential benefits for Egyptian agriculture; 2) Status of Egypt?s biotechnology regulatory framework; 3) Implementing an effective biosafety regulatory framework; 4) The biosafety protocol and the WTO; 5) Regulatory regime cases studies/experiences from South Africa, Spain, and the Philippines; and 6) Moving products to commercialization. ¶3. Dr. Hanieya El-Itribi, Director of Egypt?s Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute (AGERI),who spoke on the benefits of biotechnogy, noted that several challenges confront Egypt?s agriculture sector: limited arable land, erosion, loss of soil fertility, and an increasing population. However, she pointed out, all these could be mitigated through the application of modern biotechnology. (NOTE: Egypt is a pioneer in the research and development of biotech, but has yet to harness this capability to meet its food needs). ¶4. Dr. Osama El Tayeb, Consultant to the Ministry of Environment and drafter of Egypt?s pending biotechnology regulation bill, outlined the contents of Egypt?s current and pending regulations. He stressed that Egypt?s regulations would be consistent with the Biosafety Protocol, would consider socio-economic implications of biotechnology, and would incorporate a science-based risk analysis approach. The Ministry of Justice is currently reviewing this draft bill, and Parliament may begin deliberations on it as early as November 2006. ¶5. The workshop?s other presenters were international experts and spoke on the areas detailed above. Workshop attendees praised speakers for their extensive knowledge of the subject matter and practical approach in relaying information. Several participants commented to FAS that they were impressed at the ease with which speakers were able grasp all aspects of the issues. They also added that the workshop made them better equipped to advocate on behalf of advancement of this technology. ¶6. During break-out sessions, groups with representatives from each of the ministries established next steps for future activities. The compilation of those ideas and suggestions will guide the planning and organization of events over the next 12 months. Suggestions included: 1) a ministerial-level workshop to clarify roles and responsibilities of the various government entities under the draft biosafety bill; 2) a workshop on methods for biosafety communication and outreach; 3) a workshop designed to create a strategy for commercializing locally-developed agriculture biotechnology products. ¶7. The USAID Mission in Cairo funded the workshop. It was part of a series of activities over the next year to extend capacity building to relevant government entities involved in regulating agricultural biotechnology application in Egypt. ¶8. COMMENT: Overall, the workshop was a success in that it brought all the major players in Egypt face-to-face for the first time to discuss the importance of advancing this technology for the sake of Egypt?s farmers. Participants committed to remain engaged on the issue and to cooperate to ensure the successful application of biotechnology in Egypt. Furthermore, the results of the break-out sessions provide a road-map for future activities. END COMMENT. RICCIARDONE