TUNIS FY 2008 BIOTECHNOLOGY OUTREACH PROPOSAL

UNCLAS TUNIS 000120 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EB/TPP/ABT/BTT (TOM LERSTEN AND MATT KOCH),NEA/PPD (PEN AGNEW, ROBIN SMITH) AND NEA/MAG (MAYA HARRIS) RABAT FOR FAS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ECON ETRD TBIO KPAO TS SUBJECT: TUNIS FY 2008 BIOTECHNOLOGY OUTREACH PROPOSAL Refs: A) 07 STATE 160639 B) 07 TUNIS ¶1. Summary: Embassy Tunis is pleased to submit a proposal to further the advancement of agricultural biotechnology (agbiotech) research and awareness in Tunisia. The GOT is currently drafting regulations on biotechnology and we would like them to be trade-friendly. Given that the European Union is Tunisia's largest trade partner, representing nearly 80 percent of Tunisia's total trade, exposure to US experts and researchers is critical to encouraging support for and research in the field of agricultural biotechnology. The proposed visit of three US biotechnology researchers builds on the successful 2007 EEB-sponsored visit of Dr. Foster Agblevor and has the potential to lead to increased US-Tunisian research collaboration in agricultural biotechnology. End Summary. ¶2. Embassy Tunis proposes supporting the visit of three US researchers to an international symposium on biotechnology scheduled to take place May 4-8, 2008 at the Center for Biotechnology of Sfax (CBS)(a virtual visit of the center is available at http://www.cbs.rnrt.tn). This event will coincide with the 25th anniversary of the CBS and will bring prominent biotech researchers from several countries, including France, to interact with their Tunisian counterparts. The overarching goal is to promote the use of biotechnologies in Tunisia. The program (available at http://isb2008.cbstunisia.com) features a series of lectures and workshops dealing with three different themes: (1) Biotechnology for human health; (2) microbial and environmental biotech; and (3) agricultural, food and marine biotechnology. ¶3. USDA/FAS has carried out several activities in Tunisia aimed at building close relationships with key players and on advocating a trade-friendly stance with regard to GMOs. We have been successful so far, as US-origin shipments of corn and soybean meal, widely believed to contain various proportions of bio-engineered material, continue to enjoy unfettered access to the market. However, Tunisia's proximity to Europe, notoriously unfriendly towards biotech products, and its proclivity to a European way of thinking in general, suggest that we must continue to be vigilant in this arena. Whereas the so-called non-GMO biotechnologies are widely accepted, GMOs are controversial. ¶4. In support of Embassy Tunis' joint efforts, CBS would like to invite the following US researchers to present the indicated topics at the symposium: ¶A. Berkowitz Gerald A., University of Connecticut, "Mechanisms mediating Ca2+ involvement in pathogen perception, programmed cell death and plant innate immunity" ¶B. Federici Brian A., University of California, "Basic Biology and Genetic Engineering of Bacillus thuringiensis" ¶C. Potts Malcolm, Virginia Tech University and Qatar University "Roof Biofilm: A Unique Biotechnological Resource" We would also like to program these individuals with an appropriate group of university students during one of the conference days. ¶5. Fostering interactions between US and Tunisian scientists lays the groundwork for a meaningful dialogue on the benefits stemming from the wide embrace of agricultural biotechnology. Tunisian researchers who have participated in several USDA/FAS-supported joint US-Tunisia agricultural research projects tend to be biotech proponents. Gaining allies among researchers could prove to be useful in fulfilling USG biotech strategy as scientists play a key role in the policymaking on this issue in Tunisia. The head of CBS, for instance, is a key member of the National Biosafety Committee, an institution in charge of shaping the future of biotech in this country. ¶6. Dr. Foster Agblevor from Virginia Tech University recently visited CBS as part of Embassy Tunis' EEB-sponsored agbiotech outreach. Dr. Agblevor concluded that the institution is too reliant on collaborative research with French institutions focusing on basic research with few, if any, prospects of tangible outcomes to farmers and other potential end-users. He also noted the existence of a lot of skepticism about the merits of agricultural biotechnologies among the CBS researchers. Dr. Agblevor concluded, and the Embassy concurs, that establishing more linkages with US universities will be vital to winning over the skeptics and re-orienting the CBS work towards practical applications. The active involvement of prominent US researchers at this high-profile event, alongside their French counterparts, will be an excellent milestone to this end. ¶7. PROGRAM COST - Round-trip Airfare-(est.) $1,500 X 2 (for east coast speakers) + $2,500 (for west coast speaker) = $5,500 - Honorarium--$200/program X 1 day = $200/person = $600 - Per Diem (lodging and M&IE): covered by CBS Total = $6,161 ¶8. POST RESPONSIBLE OFFICER AND CONTACT INFORMATION Victoria Taylor Economic Officer taylorvj@state.gov (office)+216-71-107-431 (cell)+216-20-315-824 Abdelkarim Sma Office of Agricultural Affaire Smaa@state.gov (office) +216-71-107486 (cell)+216-98-336-930 GODEC