NIGERIA OUTREACH AGRICULTURAL BIOTECH

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000131 SIPDIS SENSITIVE USDA FAS WASHDC FOR CMP/OA BIOTECH GROUP FAA/AREA DIRECTOR/RANDY HAGER ITP/THOMAS POMEROY EB/TPP/ABT/BTT - TOM LERSTEN AND MATT KOCH FROM OFFICE OF AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS, LAGOS TOFAS 018 E.O. 12958, N/A TAGS: EAGR ECON ETRD TBIO SUBJECT: NIGERIA OUTREACH AGRICULTURAL BIOTECH PROPOSAL REF: STATE 00233448 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The government of Nigeria appears to support the development and use of agricultural biotechnology. In meetings such as the June 2005 Science and Technology Forum in Burkina Faso, Nigerian representatives spoke positively about agricultural biotechnology. Despite this receptiveness, the GON has made little progress in advancing Agricultural biotechnology over the last five years. ¶2. (SBU) In 2000, the Government of Nigeria (GON) established a 15-member committee to oversee the implementation of its national biotechnology program. National biosafety legislation has been drafted but it has yet to be circulated for national debate and passage by the national assembly. Under biotechnology guidelines approved in 2001, the National Biosafety Committee (NBC) headed by the Ministry of Environment is responsible for developing national policy on biotechnology. ¶3. (SBU) The USAID supported Nigeria Agriculture Biotechnology Project implemented by the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) submitted an application for a field trial of transgenic, virus resistant cassava (obtained from Danforth Center) to the National Biosafety Committee (NBC) in April 2004. The NBC met twice on the request but has not granted approval. ¶4. (SBU) The Nigeria Agriculture and Biotechnology Project of USAID, has laid a good foundation for the acceptance and development of agricultural biotechnology in the country but more efforts are needed to support on-going activities. ¶5. (SBU) The National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA)in the Ministry of Science and Technology is responsible for coordinating and promoting activities in biotechnology development in Nigeria. For its part, the agency recognizes the use of agricultural biotechnology can contribute to healthy economic development in Nigeria, but the agency lacks the necessary resources to mount a serious campaign on the benefits of agricultural biotechnology. -------------- Proposal I: Working with the GON -------------- ; ¶6. (SBU) To help GON technology efforts, The Office of Agricultural Affairs proposes to organize a team of leading GON policy makers, regulators and legislators to visit the United States to get first-hand information about the role of agricultural biotechnology has played in the U.S. 3-4 members from the Nigerian House of Representatives and Senate Agriculture Committees, 3-4 officials from the Ministries of Environment, Agriculture and Science and Technology would be invited to participate in the program. This activity would help improve the knowledge and understanding of important decision makers about the benefits of agricultural biotechnology. This would also help lay the groundwork for well- informed debate in the legislative chambers when the national biosafety law is formally introduced. ¶7. (SBU) Implementation of this activity would cost approximately $35,000 including airfare, per diem and lodging for a team of 5-6 individuals. ¶8. (SBU) Media coverage on agricultural biotechnology in the media is limited and often inaccurate in Nigeria. In recent weeks, two national newspapers published articles that cast doubt on the benefits of agricultural biotechnology. Increasing the knowledge of Nigerian journalists about the benefits of agricultural biotechnology would be helpful in countering such misconceptions. -------------- Proposal II: Public Affairs Strategy -------------- ¶9. (SBU) The Office of Agricultural Affairs proposes to organize a team of leading Nigerian journalists to visit the United States to improve their understanding of agricultural biotechnology and to see the role biotechnology has played in American agricultural development. Nigerian journalists would be given an opportunity to visit consumer organizations, private sector companies and regulatory agencies. Journalists that participate in the program would be expected to write about their U.S. experiences in their respective newspapers after the visit. The Office of Agricultural Affairs will work with the Public Affairs Section of the Embassy to identify the candidates for this program. ¶10. (SBU) This activity would cost approximately $35,000 including airfare, hotel and meal per diem for four-five prominent journalists for a weeklong visit to the United States. ¶11. (SBU) Both activities would be implemented in cooperation with the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, which is engaged in the development and the acceptance of agricultural biotechnology in Nigeria. Contact Person: Ali Abdi, Agricultural Attache U.S. Consulate General Lagos. Tel: 2613926 Fax: 2629835 Browne