FY06 BIOTECHNOLOGY OUTREACH FUNDING - SRI LANKA

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000150

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ECON ETRD TBIO CE
SUBJECT: FY06 BIOTECHNOLOGY OUTREACH FUNDING - SRI LANKA


EB/TPP/ABT/BTT FOR TOM LERSTEN AND MATT KOCH

REF: 2005 STATE 233448

Post appreciates the opportunity to request biotechnology
outreach programs for Sri Lanka. The country has already
drafted a biosafety framework in keeping with the articles of
the Cartegena protocol, to which Sri Lanka is a signatory.

Following are the biotech outreach proposals for Sri Lanka:


1. Biotechnology study tour to the US

Sri Lanka is in a decisive position with respect to biotechnology.
The country has in place a draft framework to regulate the import
of GM foods and utilization of biotechnology in domestic
agriculture. Some contents of the framework are not consistent
with a science-based approach to biotechnology. Conversely, the
Ministry of Agriculture has identified biotechnology as a tool
to improve the domestic agriculture sector in terms of increasing
productivity and farmer incomes, reducing insecticide usage,
increasing yields and contributing to overall food security
objectives of the country. We propose that a high-level
delegation, comprising senior officials from the Ministry of
Agriculture, Environment and Health, including the Minister
of Agriculture Development be sent on a study tour to the US.
The objectives of this tour are two-fold:

- To inform and educate government officials responsible for
food safety the need to adopt a transparent science based
approach in compiling regulations to deal with GM foods and to
provide an extensive overview of US systems and procedures in
place to ensure the safety and quality of US food exports
including GM foods.

- To present first hand knowledge of biotechnology crops in the
field, success of agricultural biotechnology in the U.S. and its
applicability to local agriculture/livestock sector, and learn
how technologies are transferred from research
organizations/universities to farmers and private sector.

This Biotech study tour will also give the senior delegation an
opportunity to interact with the U.S. policy makers and regulators
at USDA, FDA, EPA, and U.S. State Department in Washington, DC

The duration of this program is expected to be around 2-3 weeks
and cost approximately $40,000.



2. Technical assistance in the drafting/finalization of the Plant
Breeders Rights Law (Plant Variety Protection Policy/Law):

The government of Sri Lanka is working to develop a new law on
Plant Breeders Rights Law (Plant Variety Protection Law). It is
proposed that a key official involved in compiling this law will
be trained at the International Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
and Technology Transfer Short Course at Michigan State University
(MSU) to be held in July 2006. In addition, MSU will facilitate a
follow-up visit by a Plant Breeders Rights (PBR)/Plant Variety
Protection (PVP) expert to Sri Lanka to finalize the draft with
the local committee entrusted with the task. The new PBR/PVP law
will help Sri Lankan scientists in accessing new technologies from
the global community and attract private sector investments in
biotechnology and plant breeding research and development in Sri
Lanka and thereby facilitate trade in biotech products.

Proposed Budget for course fee for attending the International
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Technology Transfer Short
Course at Michigan State University (MSU),meals, lodging and air
ticket for one participant from Sri Lanka who is a member of the
committee that is preparing the new PBR/PVP law: $7,500

Proposed Budget for the follow-up visit by a PBR/PVP expert to Sri
Lanka (including air ticket, meals, lodging, local transportation,
and consulting fee): $10,000



3. Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum

The Ministry of Agriculture along with collaboration from MSU and
key stakeholders propose to organize a National Agricultural
Biotechnology meeting in 2006 to foster networking and information
exchange among various stakeholders. This workshop will place
special emphasis on public-private sector partnerships in
biotechnology and review progress made on various activities
recommended in the 2005 Biotechnology Workshop.

Duration of program is approximately four days and cost estimated
$15,000.

4. Short Term Consultant to deal with National Biosafety Framework
(NBF) issues

Sri Lanka has a drafted a NBF, a requirement of the Cartegena
Protocol, to which Sri Lanka is a signatory. Some regulations
contained in the NBF are excessive and not in keeping with a
science based approach to biotechnology. Hence, trade in US food
products to Sri Lanka could be affected if the NBF is implemented.
It is proposed that a suitable expert work with Sri Lankan
authorities on regulations, public outreach and education to
ensure that the NBF will not unduly hinder trade, is transparent,
and consistent with a science based approach to biotechnology.

Duration is approximately 2-3 weeks and cost $15,000 (including
air ticket, lodging, meals, transportation)


LUNSTEAD