FRANCE AGRICULTURAL BIOTECH OUTREACH PROPOSAL

UNCLAS PARIS 000235 SIPDIS STATE FOR EEB/TPP/ABT/BTT Q JOHN FINN AND GARY CLEMENTS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ECON TBIO ETRD KPAO FR SUBJECT: FRANCE AGRICULTURAL BIOTECH OUTREACH PROPOSAL REF:07 STATE 160639 ¶1. (U) Economic Minister-Counselor, Agricultural Minister-Counselor, Public Affairs Minister-Counselor and Science Counselor present this joint request for support from EEB FY 2008 biotech outreach funds for critical public outreach in France. In the wake of late 2007 GOF broad-based environmental consultations, government policy on agricultural biotechnology has succumbed to populist non science-based pressures and has turned decidedly negative. With its upcoming EU presidency, FranceQs views on the subject will impact the evolution of the global environment for this technology not only in the European Union, but worldwide. ¶2. (U) When President Sarkozy held a press conference to announce the conclusions of the environmental consultations, he highlighted concerns about Qpesticide GMOsQ and announced a freeze on their planting. High-level Ministry of Environment officials have made it known that their concern about biotech is environmental (as opposed to food safety). The proposed program would improve understanding of how GMOs interact with the environment and encourage acceptance of the environmental benefits of biotechnology by policymakers and consumers. The program would also be designed to encourage the adoption of a science-based regulatory system in France. ¶3. (U) A. Program description: We are requesting a high-level speaker who will address how GM plants interact with the environment, particularly, those with pesticide-resistant traits. -What is the U.S. experience with the sustainability of pesticide-resistant and herbicide-tolerant transgenic technology and its impact on non-GM plants and weeds? - How do U.S. farmers use biotechnology as part of their sustainable disease management system? - How does the USG (particularly EPA) regulate pest-resistant biotech varieties? -Do GM plants threaten local insect populations? ¶B. (U) Time Frame: We are requesting a high-level speaker for at least three days in Paris. If available for a longer period, we could develop other programs outside of Paris. Best periods and venue are: - Annual French agricultural show in Paris, held in late February-early March - Economic committee meeting of leading French farmers union (FNSEA) in May. ¶C. (U) Purpose of the Program: To counterbalance the recent French negative stance on biotechnology by increasing understanding by policy makers and the public of how genetically-modified crops interact with the environment. To encourage France to adopt a rational, science-based co-existence regime, and to discourage the GOF from using spurious scientific arguments to justify a negative policy approach in France and at the EU level. (U) This program can be expected to positively address French policymakersQ and consumersQ concerns associated with biotechnology. It will provide practical information on how GM technology can be safely integrated into the agricultural economy without significant negative impacts on conventional crops and the environment, and can offer environmental benefits. ¶D. (U) Audience: The speakers will give presentations to French regulators (government representatives and Parliamentarians),farm organizations, planting seed associations, the animal feed industry, agri-food industry, students and press. ¶E. (U) Proposed topics and nature of events: how GM plants interact with the environment, particularly, pest-resist GMO varieties; and environmental benefits of agricultural biotechnology. We will organize various presentations, more or less technical, depending on the audience. We will also have presentations for students in science and in agriculture. ¶F. (U) We anticipate the cost of the proposed program to be $6,000.00 ¶I. (U) NAME AND CONTACT OF PROGRAM OFFICER: Sylvie Vacheret, Economic Public Affairs Specialist. Tel. 33-1-4312-4897, cell phone: 33-6-20 35 16 41, fax 33-1-4312-4932. E-mail: vacheretsr@state.gov ¶J. (U) We would like to use EB fund for speakers on agricultural biotechnology. Stapleton#