BIOTECHNOLOGY EXPERT WILLIAM PARROTT VISIT

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 000486 SIPDIS USDA FOR FAS BIOTECH UNIT BSIMMONS USDA FOR FAS/FAA JEANNE BAILEY USDA FOR FAS/ICD LITA ECHEVERRI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ECON TBIO ETRD KPAO CS BEXP SENV ETRD SUBJECT: BIOTECHNOLOGY EXPERT WILLIAM PARROTT VISIT ¶1. Summary. On November 7th and 8th, 2005 Dr. William Parrott, University of Georgia Professor and biotechnology expert, visited Costa Rica to meet with GOCR officials from the Ministries of Health and Economy as well as with Legislative Assembly staff. Dr. Parrott was also interviewed by the Director of "Radio Monumental," a local radio station. According to a new General Health Law, currently with the Legislative Assembly, biotechnology products would have to be labeled. The Ministry of Health has also drafted a "Law on Living Modified Organisms and their by-products," which would regulate different aspects of biotechnology products, including importation and labeling of processed products. Dr. Parrott's visit was a good opportunity to present the U.S. position on these topics and to address different issues of interest to Costa Rican regulators. End Summary. ¶2. In the morning of November 8th, Dr. Parrott visited the Ministry of Health where he met four officials, including staff from the Food and Drugs Registration and Controls Department, the Research Department and the Legal Department of the Ministry. The discussion during this meeting revolved around Costa Rica's draft of the "Law on Living Modified Organisms and their by-products." Under the proposed law, Costa Rica plans to regulate products derived from modern biotechnology, including processed food products. Dr. Parrott responded to several questions and Ministry of Health officials showed a clear interest in obtaining additional scientific information and training in different aspects of biotechnology. They indicated that Ministry personnel at the field level lack the necessary knowledge about biotechnology to respond to attacks from anti-biotech groups. ¶3. Later in the morning, Dr. Parrott met with Legislative Assembly staff (about 12 people),including advisors and personnel from the Technical Services Department. Dr. Parrott made a formal presentation during this meeting, followed by several questions and comments from participants. During this meeting, participants expressed interest in obtaining information about the cost of implementing a traceability program for biotech products, recognizing that it would be extremely expensive for a developing country. ¶4. During the afternoon Dr. Parrott visited the Ministry of Economy (MEIC) where he met with officials from the Consumer Protection Commission and from the Technical Regulations Department. Dr. Parrott made a formal presentation emphasizing the problems involved in choosing a threshold level for labeling of biotechnology products. ¶5. On the afternoon of November 8th, Dr. Parrott was interviewed by the Director of Radio Monumental, Amelia Rueda. The interview was transmitted during a morning program a day or two after the interview. The interview consisted of general questions regarding biotechnology and gave Dr. Parrott an opportunity to provide a scientific point of view regarding agricultural biotechnology. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶6. Government officials and legislative staff are clearly thirsty for information regarding agricultural biotechnology. With this visit we targeted officials who had an interest in public health. Most recognized the needless economic disruptions that would result from implementation of the radical proposals from the anti-GMO camp, but they felt ill-equipped to make the counter arguments. Dr. Parrott's explanations refuting the claims of adverse health effects from consuming transgenics were particularly effective. To date, the Costa Rican Government has resisted implementing measures that would impede commercialization of transgenics and their products unduly. However, initiatives to fill the gap in the regulatory framework for biotechnology, which currently does not address food safety, raise the specter of new and potentially cumbersome regulations in the future. Post will continue monitoring the situation and sharing information with our government contacts, as well as seeking out additional opportunities to educate on agricultural biotechnology through State and USDA/FAS programs. LANGDALE