PROPOSAL FOR FY2010 EEB BIOTECH OUTREACH RESOURCES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LUSAKA 000025 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EAID TBIO KPAO ZA SUBJECT: PROPOSAL FOR FY2010 EEB BIOTECH OUTREACH RESOURCES REF: A. A. 09 STATE 122732 ¶B. B.09 LUSAKA 964 ¶C. C. LUSAKA 11 LUSAKA 00000025 001.2 OF 002 SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) In response to Ref A solicitation for FY2010 biotechnology outreach proposals, Embassy Lusaka requests support for two activities totaling USD 19,000. The first proposed activity will leverage the interest within the Lusaka-based Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Secretariat to overturn regional biotechnology bans for the sake of economic growth and food security. The other proposed activity will focus on creating grass-roots understanding of the benefits of, and support for, the introduction of biotechnology to Zambia. ¶2. (SBU) Public opinion about biotechnology in Zambia is overwhelmingly negative, resulting from negative information campaigns in 2002-03. Misplaced concerns about health and environmental implications of genetically modified organisms (GMO) and widespread ignorance of their benefits in combating hunger and increasing food security have not been adequately addressed since the national dialogue was effectively shut down after then-President Levy Mwanawasa instituted a total ban on GMOs in 2003. In 2009, President Rupiah Banda personally requested that the Ambassador re-open the debate on biotechnology among the Zambian public because the President felt constrained by the government's (GRZ) hard-line, but ill-conceived, position. After the GRZ convinced its people that GMO were harmful to their health and the environment, the Banda administration is reticent to get out in front of the debate. ¶3. (SBU) In October 2009, Lusaka-based COMESA organized a one-day roundtable discussion on biotechnology that was supported by FY2009 biotech outreach funds (Ref B). The proposed FY2010 activities will build on the momentum created by the roundtable, and will bring the discussion down to the grass-roots level to reach farmers and consumers who have been influenced by a negative, one-sided discussion on GMO in Zambia. In preparing for the Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative (GHFSI),Embassy developed a comprehensive diplomatic engagement strategy that includes a detailed plan to engage the GRZ, other stakeholders and the Zambian people on the importance of GE acceptance to economic growth and food security (Ref C). The activities proposed below will support Mission efforts to promote Zambian acceptance of GMO crops and products containing GMO, including diplomatic demarches, media engagement, international visitor programs and other outreach activities. ¶4. (SBU) PROJECT ONE: COMMUNITY RADIO OUTREACH. To increase public understanding of and interest in biotechnology at the grass-roots level, Embassy will develop or purchase a series of audio reports that dispel the negative myths about GMO and highlight the benefits biotech crops can produce in terms of increased output, lower input costs, and minimized environmental impact. The ten- to fifteen- minute reports will focus on the experience of small-holder farmers in countries that allow GE crops, and will be distributed to Zambia's 32 community radio stations, which together reach the vast majority of rural Zambians. To increase the broad-based impact of the reports, Post will translate them into four of Zambia's major local languages; Bemba, Nyanja, Tonga, and Lozi. COMESA has indicated an interest in having their new biotechnology advisor assist in developing and narrating the first report on the myths and truths about biotechnology. This project will cost approximately USD 6,000, including the reports (USD 1,000),interpretation services (USD 3,200),and production and distribution costs (USD 1,800). Once developed, the reports could be used as a resource by other Missions in the region. ¶5. (SBU) PROJECT TWO: BEST PRACTICES WORKSHOP. With a COMESA biotech advisor now in place, the COMESA Secretariat is eager to continue to push the dialogue on biotechnology forward to create a rational, regional biotechnology regulatory framework that will help member countries become food secure by allowing cultivation of and trade in biotech crops. The Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA),a COMESA organization supported by USAID, would like to organize a workshop in Lusaka for government officials, private sector stakeholders, and journalists that would build on the success of the October 2009 roundtable. The best practices workshop will focus on the experience of three African countries that allow or will allow GMOs: Egypt, Burkina Faso, and Kenya. Post requests outreach funds to support one speaker from each of the three countries and to pay for conference facilities in Lusaka. LUSAKA 00000025 002.2 OF 002 ACTESA will facilitate participation in the workshop by neighboring COMESA member countries. This project will cost approximately USD 13,000, including airfare (USD 1,800 x 3), per diem and honoraria (USD 1,253 x 3) and conference facility and administration (USD 3,841). ¶6. Post's point of contact for ag-biotech issues is: Phil Nervig Economic Officer Embassy Lusaka 260-211-250-955 x2241 nervigpb@state.gov BOOTH