FY 2010 BIOTECHNOLOGY OUTREACH STRATEGY AND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 STATE 122732

SIPDIS
FROM ACTING A/S ANNA BORG TO AMBASSADORS, DCM'S, ECON
COUNSELORS, PAOS, AND AG COUNSELORS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ECON ETRD TBIO KPAO
SUBJECT: FY 2010 BIOTECHNOLOGY OUTREACH STRATEGY AND
DEPARTMENT RESOURCES

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1. (U) Summary. Agricultural biotechnology has great
potential to help address the challenges of food
insecurity and mitigate climate change. To realize
this potential, and to protect the interests of U.S.
farmers and exporters, we seek to promote understanding
of the technology and encourage the adoption of fair,
transparent, and science-based policies and practices
in other countries. This cable outlines key elements
of our current biotech strategy as well as some of the
tools and resources (including EEB's biotech outreach
funds) available to help posts pursue an active biotech
agenda in support of this strategy and encourages the
various sections and agencies in your missions to work
together as they pursue our shared goals on this issue.
I encourage missions to prepare thoughtful, interagency
coordinated proposals for use of this year's EEB
biotech outreach funds (see paragraphs 10-16 for
instructions on submitting proposals). The deadline
for these proposals is January 15, 2010; however we may
begin allocating EEB biotech outreach funds before the
deadline, as necessary. End Summary.

Biotech Outreach Objectives for 2010
--------------


2. (U) Our biotech outreach objectives for 2010 are to
increase access to, and markets for, biotech as a means
to help address the underlying causes of the food
crisis, and to promote agricultural technology's role
in mitigating climate change and increasing biofuel
production. We will pursue these objectives by:

-- Encouraging science and technology to play crucial
roles in unleashing additional agricultural
productivity, particularly in the developing world.
Many international organizations have called for a
second Green Revolution in Africa, and biotechnology
will be a central part of that effort. Biotechnology
is being used to increase crop yields and enhance the
ability of food crops to sustain climate shocks.

-- Publicizing the fact that agricultural biotechnology
can help address the food crisis and serve as a
development tool by increasing food productivity,
reducing crop input costs, and helping to alleviate
poverty.

-- Recognizing the role biotechnology can play in
mitigating climate change by increasing the efficiency
of land already in production and by increasing
adoption of agricultural practices such as low till
agriculture that trap carbon in the soil.

-- Reinforcing the environmental gains from decreased
insecticide use, reduced soil erosion, and increased
plant efficiency, stressing the potential for improved
nutrition and disease prevention, and encouraging the
development and commercialization of ag-biotech
products that meet the unique needs of developing
nations.

-- Encouraging countries to abide by global trading
rules and accept science-based evaluation of food
production methods. The U.S. will continue its effort
to open markets and advocate responsible regulation. We
will continue to seek full EU compliance with the 2006
WTO ruling against the EU de facto moratorium on
approving agricultural biotechnology products.

-- Taking full advantage of the WTO biotech ruling by
explaining the significance of the case, particularly
to developing countries, and by stressing the global
scientific consensus on the safety of ag-biotech
products noted by the final WTO panel decision. Some
countries, especially in the developing world, lack the
opportunity to utilize advanced crop technology due to
concerns that the EU will not accept their agricultural
exports if produced with the aid of biotechnology. The
U.S. should support developing countries that seek
access to biotechnology, and reaffirm the WTO's 2006
panel ruling on this issue.

-- Ensuring that activities taken pursuant to the
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the Codex

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Alimentarius are in line with those countries'
obligations under international trade agreements.

-- Promoting the understanding that ag-biotech
contributes to production of biofuels through increased
yields and improved feedstocks, and helps ensure food
security.


Strategy and Resources
--------------


3. (U) We urge posts to pay particular attention to
advancing this strategy with countries that have key
biotech legislation pending or are at a cross-roads on
the technology, those that provide opportunities for
active engagement on ag biotech to address food
production and mitigate climate change, and those that
are active players in international fora where
biotechnology issues are discussed (e.g., CODEX
Alimentarius and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety).


4. (U) The Department works with a host of other USG
agencies, international organizations, NGOs and
industry to promote understanding and acceptance of
biotechnology as well as new initiatives related to
this technology. Within the State Department, the
Agriculture and Biotech Trade Affairs Division
(EEB/TPP/MTAA/ABT) takes primary responsibility for ag-
biotech issues. EEB has available biotech outreach
funds that can be allocated to posts to further ag-
biotech policy and promote acceptance of the
technology. These funds are administered by
EEB/TPP/MTAA/ABT with the assistance of EEB/EX. Please
see sections 10-16 for more information.


5. (U) Other USG agencies, such as USDA and USAID,
have resources to help posts support USG biotech
policy. Close collaboration among all relevant embassy
sections and agencies is key to ensuring that posts
fully exploit the range of available USG biotech
resources. Many posts establish ag-biotech working
groups to put together successful ag-biotech advocacy
programs. In order to facilitate effective
coordination between EEB and the field on ag-biotech
issues, posts should forward points of contact for ag-
biotech issues to EEB/TPP/MTAA/ABT, Marcella Szymanski
and Jack Bobo.


6. (U) Posts are encouraged to utilize the services of
the Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP).
Funds are available through EEB's Biotech Outreach
Program to fund IIP Speaker Programs for Biotechnology.
(Note: Posts wishing to work with IIP in the
recruitment of speakers and the administration of
speaker programs must conform with the policies and
guidelines of IIP. If IIP is to be involved, then
speakers must be U.S. citizens, and that they must be
offered an honorarium of $200 per day (excepting USG
employees) for each day of the program, and must be
offered business class seating if the travel exceeds 14
hours' duration. It is suggested that posts work
closely with Public Affairs Sections during the
development and implementation of such programs, as the
PA sections are familiar with IIP program requirements,
procedures and request submission formats. All IIP
program requests MUST/MUST go through PA.)


7. (U) Posts are encouraged to use ECA's International
Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) by including ag-
biotech participants---under their regular allotments--
-in the program. For example, visits to U.S. farms
where biotech crops are being cultivated, as well as
discussions with U.S. farmers, have proven to be
effective ways of dispelling concerns about biotech on
the part of foreign visitors. Posts should consider
adding a biotech component to International Visitor
programs for a wide range of opinion leaders, not just
biotech specialists.


8. (U) Specially designed biotech Voluntary Visitors
projects involving host government officials, industry
leaders, and academics might also be considered. The
Foreign Press Center could arrange biotech reporting
tours for U.S.- based foreign media and/or arrange
visits by foreign media to the U.S. PAO's should
coordinate these efforts directly with the relevant PA
and ECA offices, although EEB/TPP/MTAA/ABT would
appreciate receiving info copies of proposals and

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nominations, and stands ready to assist ECA and posts
with programming efforts.


9. (U) EEB/TPP/MTAA/ABT staff are available as
appropriate to advocate in host capitals, troubleshoot
problematic legislation, and participate as public
speakers on ag-biotech. In particular, this is the key
role of the State Department's Senior Advisor for
Biotechnology, Jack Bobo.


EEB'S BIOTECH OUTREACH FUNDS FOR FY 2009
--------------


10. (U) The Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business
Affairs (EEB) has received funding in each of the last
seven fiscal years for ag-biotech outreach projects.
Although the full level of funding for fiscal year 2010
is not yet certain, EEB encourages embassies and their
consulates to propose projects such as speaker
programs, conferences, workshops and seminars to take
advantage of these funds to promote the acceptance of
ag-biotech.


11. (U) Funds are targeted towards public outreach to
develop support for USG trade and development policy
positions on biotechnology. Projects should aim to
provide accurate information on the benefits of
biotechnology to policymakers and consumers in other
countries and to encourage the adoption of science-
based regulatory systems. In light of discussions with
Congressional staff, funds should be used to create
support for USG positions in regions outside the
European Union (EU) or to limit the influence of EU
negative views on biotechnology. We do, however,
consider on a case-by-case basis, and have provided
funding for, proposals from EUR posts that are
consistent with our overall strategy.


12. (U) Acceptance and receipt of funds are contingent
on posts' agreeing to provide, within one month of
completion of the project, a report including the
following elements:

-- A financial report that itemizes the expenditures of
funds.

-- A detailed description of the audience reached
(number
of attendees and nature of audience, e.g. producers,
consumers, policymakers),with a particular emphasis on
those individuals who may influence national biotech
policy.

-- Analysis on whether the program influenced public
perceptions.

-- Level of media coverage (and, if possible, the size
of
the audience serviced by media).


13. (U) SUBMISSION OF PROGRAM AND FUNDING REQUESTS:
We urge post public diplomacy officers to consult with
econ officers, ESTH officers, and Foreign Agricultural
Service staff in crafting proposed projects prior to
submission of requests. Posts are encouraged to send
proposals for FY 09 ag-biotech projects to the
Department not later than January 10, 2010. Projects
received after that date will be considered based on
available resources.

Requests should outline:

-- The cost of the proposed program;
-- The target audiences;
-- The specific ag-biotech issues to be addressed;
-- How the project would help meet USG policy
objectives (purpose and impact);
-- Proposed length of program;
-- Whether posts wish to go through the IIP Speaker Program
or arrange for speakers themselves; and
-- Name of post responsible officer and contact
information.

Please note: IIP will be sending separate messages to
select posts soliciting proposals for speaker projects
as funds become available from EEB.


14. (U) Program proposals will be reviewed by

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EEB/TPP/MTAA/ABT. Please slug cables for
EEB/TPP/MTAA/ABT/ - Marcella Szymanski
(szymanskimb@state.gov) and Jack Bobo
(BoboJA@state.gov).


15. (U) EEB/TPP/MTAA/ABT will work with posts to
further develop promising proposals. Average size of
program has been $10,000-25,000, with some as small as
$500 and others as large as $50,000.


16. (U) Funds may be used to pay for travel by
participants or speakers to an international meeting or
conference hosted by the USG in the United States or
for travel by speakers from the United States to
another country. The funds can also be used to pay for
speakers from neighboring countries or the region to
speak at a host country event. EEB's Biotech Outreach
funds come with a number of restrictions on how they
can be used, so only certain types of projects are
appropriate. Applicable restrictions include:

-- EEB funds cannot be used for International Visitor
programs or to fund other travel by non-government
employees (Invitational travel for non-USG employees is
permitted as long as they will serve as a presenter or
speaker);

-- Funds cannot be used for representational events or
to provide food or beverages for receptions or meals
unless the meal is an integral part of a biotech
outreach event;

-- Funds cannot be provided as grants;

-- Funds cannot be provided as foreign assistance or
for training purposes; and

-- Funds will need to be spent by the end of the fiscal
year, i.e., September 30, 2010.

Background on Agricultural Biotechnology
--------------


17. (U) In the last twelve years more than 800 million
hectares/2 billion acres of biotechnology crops have
been planted around the world ? it took 10 years for
the 1st billionth acre in 2005, but only 3 years for the
2nd billionth acre in 2008. In 2008, over two dozen
countries grew biotechnology crops on more than 125
million hectares/309 million acres ? with three new
countries added: Egypt, Burkina Faso and Bolivia. Ag-
biotech growth continues even in Europe: five EU member
states now grow biotech crops (Spain, Czech Republic,
Poland, Slovakia and Romania).


18. (U) This is not just a technology for large
agribusinesses. More than ninety percent of farmers
benefiting from the technology are in the developing
world. In 2008, some 12.3 million small and resource
poor farmers in the developing world benefited from
biotechnology crops. Biotech offers the potential to
help developing countries attack the cycle of poverty,
address food security needs, and improve farmers' lives
and incomes. In India, conservative estimates for
small scale farmers indicate that use of biotech cotton
has increased yield by 31%, decreased insecticide
application by 39%, and increased profitability by 88%,
equivalent to $250 US dollars per hectare. The
increased income from biotech crops for small and
resource-poor farmers represents an initial modest
contribution toward the alleviation of their poverty.
Scientists are developing new crops that resist drought
and disease and provide health benefits to farmers and
nutritional benefits to consumers, as well as ensure a
reliable supply of staple crops for the developing
world.

-- Food Security Benefits: Biotech crops can play an
important role through increasing productivity per
hectare while decreasing costs of production (by a
reduced need for inputs, less plowing and fewer
pesticide applications). Of significance is biotech
rice, awaiting approval in China, which has the
potential to benefit 250 million poor in Asia growing
half a hectare of rice while living on $1 U.S. dollar a
day.

-- Environmental Benefits: Adoption of biotech crops
has significantly reduced insecticide use (by an

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estimated 359,000 metric tons of active ingredients
from 1996-2007, a saving of 9% in pesticides),and has
allowed many farmers to adopt no- or low-till farming
practices, thereby reducing soil erosion and
consumption of energy and water. Reduced use of
pesticides in China (an estimated 60 percent reduction)
has resulted in significant health benefits to Chinese
cotton farmers, who previously suffered from exposure
to dangerous and sometimes lethal levels of pesticides.

-- Mitigating Climate Change: Biotech crops help
mitigate climate change in two ways. First, there are
permanent savings in carbon dioxide (CO2) emission
through reduced use of fossil-based fuels, associated
with fewer insecticide and herbicide sprays. Second,
additional savings from conservation tillage (need for
less or no plowing facilitated by herbicide-tolerant
biotech crops),leads to additional soil carbon
sequestration. In 2007, the combined benefits from
permanent savings and sequestration were equivalent to
removing 6.3 million cars from the road.

-- Biofuels: Biotechnology can be used to cost-
effectively optimize the productivity of first
generation food/feed and fiber crops as well as second-
generation energy crops (trees, sorghum, switchgrass).


19. (U) For additional informational materials
(including fact sheets, remarks, and related links on
ag-biotech) addressees should visit EEB's intranet
page:
http://eeb.e.state.sbu/sites/tpp/mtaa/default .aspx. For
additional information on the global status of
commercialized biotech/GM crops see: ISAAA briefs at:
www.isaaa.org .


20. Minimize considered.
CLINTON