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