PROPOSAL FOR EEB BIOTECH OUTREACH FUNDING

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000031 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/PPD, EUR/SCE, IIP/S Richard Taylor, and EEB/TPP/MTAA/ABT Marcella Szymanski and Jack Bobo E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ECON ETRD TBIO KPAO HR SUBJECT: PROPOSAL FOR EEB BIOTECH OUTREACH FUNDING SUMMARY: Post proposes bringing a speaker from the U.S. scientific community to Croatia to engage officials, students, scientists, and the media in discussions about the science of biotechnology. By promoting a science-based approach to food safety, regulation, and risk assessment, the program would work toward opening the door for imports of more U.S. products. Post requests $3,000 of EEB biotech outreach funds to implement this program to pay for travel ($1,500) and three days of honorarium ($600)/per diem ($900) for a U.S. expert. The speaker would have two program days that would include lectures/presentations to university students and meetings with key academics, journalists, members of parliament, and other government officials. The project would be a cooperative effort of post's economic and public affairs sections, FAS and FCS. We would utilize the IIP Speaker Program to coordinate the speaker schedule. April or May would be the best time to reach our audiences. It would also allow this program to serve as a lead-in to a conference on genetically modified organisms (GMO) and other issues of animal nutrition and feed production scheduled for June 1-3, 2009, and sponsored by the Krmiva Zagreb and Croatian Association of Feed Producers, Technologists and Nutritionists. We prefer to program our speaker separately from the conference itself to help preview U.S. policy positions and thus influence the agenda without engaging a public debate on GMO issues. The Foreign Agricultural Service plans to send a speaker to the Krmiva Conference. Target Audiences: Target audiences include Food agency and public health officials, members of parliament, Ministry of Agriculture staff, academics (students and scientists) in agriculture, biology, and food science, journalists. Biotech Issues to be Addressed: The seminars and discussions will focus on the safety of genetically modified feed for animals and safety of meat from these animals for humans, as well as the importance of science-based regulatory systems. How this project would meet U.S. policy objectives: This project would work toward opening the door for U.S. products by promoting a science-based approach to food safety, regulation, and risk assessment. In the first ten months of 2008, Croatia imported about $75 million worth of soy meal and $45 million worth of grains. Mostly due to concerns and regulations related to biotech, none of these products came from the U.S. Public opposition to biotech products is significant in Croatia. Until recently, Croatian law stipulated zero tolerance for genetically modified organisms (GMO). The government has now adopted a law in line with the EU standard of allowing trace amounts of GMO for approved "GM events" and properly labeled GMO products. The government is currently developing regulations to implement the law. A change in the law and regulations, however, will not be sufficient to change public perceptions. Past incidents when trace amounts of GMO were found in food products that were not properly labeled caused serious financial damage to companies as they took steps to respond to public perceptions. At the same time, Croatia has a strong tradition in and respect for science. Thus, a focus on the importance of relying on science in biotech decisions is an essential part of any effort to promote a more balanced position about biotechnology in Croatia. This year, in particular, is a good time to engage Croatian officials, academics, media and the public on biotech issues, as the government develops regulations for the new law. Contact information: Economic officer Sara Litke will be the primary contact person for this proposal (litkesl@state.gov, +385 1 661 2419). The public affairs contact will be Robert Post (postjr@state.gov, +385-91-661-2213). BRADTKE