Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09COLOMBO353
2009-03-30 06:28:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:  

BIOTECH OUTREACH EVENT

Tags:  BEXP BTIO ENIV ABUD ECON CE 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0004
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLM #0353 0890628
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 300628Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9675
INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 2829
RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 9123
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
UNCLAS COLOMBO 000353 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/INS AND EB/CBA D WINSTEAD AND T GILMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP BTIO ENIV ABUD ECON CE
SUBJECT: BIOTECH OUTREACH EVENT

REF: STATE 018040

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000353

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/INS AND EB/CBA D WINSTEAD AND T GILMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP BTIO ENIV ABUD ECON CE
SUBJECT: BIOTECH OUTREACH EVENT

REF: STATE 018040


1. Post appreciates the support extended by BFIF to support the
outreach event of the Science and Technology Advisor held on
February 23, 2009. The visit was organized to increase awareness of
the safety and benefits of biotechnology; dispel inaccurate beliefs
concerning use of biotechnology and GM products; and encourage the
government to adopt realistic regulations that encourage the
importation and use of GM products and technologies, particularly
those from the U.S. The outreach event focused on engaging key
officials involved in agriculture and biotechnology about the latest
biotech developments, including how Sri Lanka can benefit from the
adoption of the technology which is being extensively promoted by
both developing and developed nations. The overall goal was to lay
the groundwork for more pro-GM and biotech policies that will allow
for greater U.S. exports to Sri Lanka.


2. Programmatic Outcome: The outreach event was held at a leading
hotel in Colombo and was attended by around 70 officials, including
scientists, Department of Agricultural and other ministry officials,
regulators, the private sector, and academics. Heads of various
institutions involved in Sri Lanka's biotech discussions were among
those who attended, including: the Dean of the Faculty of
Agriculture, University of Peradeniya; the Director of Council for
Agriculture Research Policy (CARP); the Director of the Post
Graduate Institute of Agriculture, Kandy; the Director of the Food
Control Unit, Ministry of Health; the Chairman of the National
Science Foundation; the Director of Plant Protection; and the
Director of Biosafety, Ministry of Environment.


3. The program commenced with a summary of the local biotechnology
situation presented by the chairman of the Council for Agriculture
Research Policy (CARP),which is the apex body for agriculture
biotechnology in Sri Lanka.


4. Science Advisor Fedoroff provided a comprehensive presentaton on
biotechnology and how the technology has eolved in the U.S. and
other major agriculture ecnomies in both developed and developing
countrie. She emphasized that stringent regulations are imposed by
U.S. federal agencies, requiring comprehensive testing and trial of
crops prior to release for commercial planting. She also
underscored that biotech and GM crops have a proven safety record
with no adverse reactions in humans since production started on a
commercial scale 12 years ago.


5. The attendees participated actively in the event, raising in
particular numerous questions concerning the safety of biotechnology
and GM foods. There was wide consensus about the need to more
aggressively adopt biotechnology in Sri Lanka while implementing the
necessary biosafety protocols to streamline the application of the
technology. Local officials also acknowledged the problem of
arbitrary use of pesticides and insecticides by farmers, which are
causing adverse health effects. According to agricultural
officials, pest and virus resistant crops are areas that
biotechnology could be particularly useful in Sri Lanka.


6. Expenditure Report: Hall hire (with audio visual facilities) for
70 participants: $552.00

COMMENT:
--------------


7. The support of BFIF has proved vital for post's commercial and
outreach activities in Sri Lanka and Maldives. The propagation and
advancement of U.S. policy on biotechnology and GM will hopefully
help ease regulations that currently inhibit exports of U.S.
agricultural products to the country, while also helping to advance
the development of domestic agriculture.

BLAKE

UNCLASSIFIED 2

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED