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