This article presents the opinions of market analysts who say that Monsanto Company's profitability has been hindered due to high spending, competition, management turnover, and the "unexpected costs of trying to win the world over" on genetically modified (GM) crops. According to the article, Monsanto achieved dominance in the agricultural biotechnology market by acquiring major seed companies and through intense marketing of its GM crops during the 1990s. Analysts say this strategy was costly and led to weak financial returns for investors. The article also says that Monsanto invests a large percentage of its profits into its own biotech research program. Some experts feel that this practice limits Monsanto's profitability. While Monsanto commands the market on "input" traits, the article asserts that the company will face stiffer competition as the industry moves to sell products that feature "output" traits, such as nutrient-enhanced corn. Monsanto's competitors say such traits will be more profitable; in this regard, many experts believe "output" traits "will inaugurate the real biotech race." Some market experts say that inventory and management problems in Latin America have "taken a toll" on Monsanto�s profits. Meanwhile, many point to the effects of Europe's resistance to GM food, noting that it has inflated the cost of commercializing GM crops in that continent and others. The article can be viewed online at the link below.

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Klaus Toepfer, executive director of the United Nations Environment Program, has expressed his belief that the precautionary principle as used in the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) does not conflict with the World Trade Organization's rules for settling trade disputes related to products that contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs). During a speech in mid-May 2003, Toepfer discussed the 1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, which provided a basis for the precautionary principle-related provisions that are used in the CPB. He said that the Declaration allows countries to reject imports of GMOs based on scientific uncertainty, but that it also acknowledges that absolute scientific certainty is rare. He emphasized that the Declaration advocates the use of sound risk assessments as a means to deter radical interpretations of the principle. Toepfer stated, "I'm fighting for the idea that the precautionary approach does not give carte blanche to refuse a scientific assessment." Toepfer spoke during "2010-The Global Biodiversity Challenge," an event that was co-organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

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The government of Canada will donate CAN$50 million (US$21.9 million) toward the development of an African "center of excellence" for agricultural "bioscience." Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chr�tien announced the plan in late May 2003, saying that the new center would serve as a "focal point" to help African scientists develop capacity for funding and conducting "advanced biosciences research programs in priority development areas." Chr�tien stated, "As a principal architect of the [Group of Eight] Africa Action Plan, Canada is fully committed to working with African nations that value democracy and good governance in priority areas, including health and education, trade and investment, and peace and security." While no details have been provided about a likely location for the new center, the article notes that the principle of using such centers to build scientific capacity in Africa was endorsed during a February 2003 New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) workshop held in Pretoria, South Africa. The piece reports that Canada, through an agreement with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), has already directed CAN$40 million toward research related to Africa-specific agricultural productivity issues. The article can be viewed online at the link below.

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This article describes the "Safety First Initiative," a U.S.-based partnership of public- and private-sector stakeholders that aims to develop safety standards to guide the future development of genetically modified (GM) organisms. According to the article, the objective of the new approach is to formulate "proactive safety standards that anticipate and resolve safety issues as far upstream of commercialization as possible." The approach focuses on four categories of "cross-industry safety standards." One category, safety criteria, would set standards to address such factors as potential allergens in GM foods. Another category, safety verification, would set standards to address factors such as the acceptable means of verification of the fitness of GM plants and fish compared with unmodified relatives. A third category would address "follow-up," and such standards might address risk-relevant monitoring after the release of a GM product. Finally, standards that bolster safety leadership would be needed to provide consistent implementation of the other standards. In this regard, the article describes a need for: 1) certified biosafety engineers who would be employed by firms and government agencies; 2) changes in private-company management approaches; and 3) a framework for managing the application of the standards, which would include an independent audit function. The article asserts that the Initiative might be established rapidly in the U.S. However, it notes that the approach "also offers a process for national and international government units to make constructive progress toward addressing the gaps in the patchy nature of biosafety governance globally."

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The U.K. government began its nationwide public debate on genetically modified (GM) food on June 3, 2003. During the six-week debate, several day-long regional workshops will be held as well as numerous local meetings. Malcolm Grant opened the first regional workshop, emphasizing the importance of the public's opinion on the issue. Grant, who heads the independent commission that organized the U.K. debate, stated, "If the government fails to take public opinion into account from the debate, I would be dismayed." The article says that informational booklets, CD Roms, and videos have been distributed to local organizers to help them present a balance of viewpoints. The article reiterates that a decision about commercialization of GM crops will consider the results of the public debate, a study produced by Prime Minister Tony Blair's strategy unit, and a scientific review that will contain the results of farm-scale field trials. The article can be viewed online at the link below.

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This article overviews recent efforts on "several fronts" that have contributed to the promotion of agricultural biotechnology in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It reports that K.Y. Amoako, the executive secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, "enthusiastically" endorsed biotechnology during an April meeting. Meanwhile, Jocelyn Webster of AfricaBio says that there are plans for the development of a model law (through the New Partnership for African Development) that may lead to regional harmonization of national biosafety regulations. Other events noted in the article include: 1) the recent signatures of Tanzania and Cameroon to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety; 2) the launch of Kenya Agricultural Research Institute's five-year, US$12.5 million ag biotech program; and 3) the launch of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation. While it describes these events, the article also quotes experts who say that the effect of "the continuing tug-of-war" between the European Union and the United States remains "the biggest obstacle" that hinders ag biotech in sub-Saharan Africa.

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This report gauges the status of agricultural biotechnology in West and Central Africa, a region in which several countries are members of the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF/WECARD). Based on a 2002 survey of biotech-related research capacity in the region, the report identifies "strengths and weaknesses" in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal. For example, the report says that Nigeria's capacity to perform tissue culture is significantly more advanced than its capacity to utilize molecular techniques. Among its regional observations, the report says that Senegal has the best infrastructure and manpower, while Mali has the weakest. The report also evaluates the status of biosafety in each country. It argues that the biosafety framework proposed for the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in East and Central Africa (ASARECA) subregion should be used as a model for the CORAF/WECARD subregion, though it asserts that the ASARECA proposal lacks some important trade-related aspects of biosafety. On this premise, the report proposes sanitary and phytosanitary issues to be included in a framework designed for the CORAF/WECARD subregion. Among other issues, the report addresses intellectual property and impact assessment capacity in the context of each of the region's national agricultural research systems. The 107-page document can be downloaded from the link below.

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The government of France has approved 14 applications for permits to conduct farm-scale field trials of genetically modified (GM) crops. The article says the applications were approved through a joint process involving France's Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Agriculture. According to information published May 27 by the Ministry of Agriculture, most of the trials will test maize varieties that have been engineered for herbicide-tolerance, pesticide-resistance, or nutritional-enhancement. The Ministry said the trials were approved in order to advance the development of GM crops and prepare the country in case the European Union ends its de facto moratorium on approvals of agricultural biotechnology products. The article says that Greenpeace and other environmental organizations have expressed their opposition to the government's decision.

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This book explores reasons why genetically modified (GM) foods have spread rapidly in markets, and it provides an "accessible" explanation of the science involved in the development of GM organisms. Author Stephen Nottingham, a biologist and freelance writer, addresses a broad range of issues related to agricultural biotechnology. Topics include herbicide and pesticide resistance in crops, the production of pharmaceuticals in crops, intellectual property protection, and market approval of GM crops in Europe. Nottingham also includes chapters that address human health and ecological risks, labeling, ethical and moral issues, government regulations, and the impact of GM crops in developing countries. [A review in Permaculture Magazine described this book as "readable and easy for a lay person to understand...a devastating indictment of genetic engineering."] Information about the book, including ordering information, can be viewed online at the link below.

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The U.S. House of Representatives Science Committee Subcommittee on Research will hold a hearing on June 12, 2003, entitled, "Plant Biotechnology Research and Development in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities." Witnesses that are scheduled to testify include: U.S. Representative Dennis Hastert; Rita Colwell of the National Science Foundation; Emmy Simmons of USAID; Gordon Conway of the Rockefeller Foundation; John Kilama of the Global Bioscience Development Institute; and Robert Horsch of Monsanto Company. The hearing will be held at 10:00 a.m. in Room 2318 of the Rayburn House Office Building. Information about the Subcommittee on Research can be viewed online at the link below.

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The European Union Parliament has ratified the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, an agreement designed to regulate the international trade of products that contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The article says that to date, Denmark, Austria, Spain, Sweden, and the Netherlands had been the only European countries to ratify the Biosafety Protocol. "Other nations first wanted the protocol to have the blessing of the EU," the article reports. EU environment commissioner Margot Wallstrom praised the Parliament's decision. Meanwhile, Jonas Sjoestedt, a Swedish Left member of the Parliament, stated, "This legislation should help the EU to counter recent accusations by the U.S. administration that the EU is to blame for the African rejection of GM food aid last year." More information can be viewed online at the link below.

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Researchers have produced the complete DNA sequence for chromosome 10 of the rice species Oryza sativa (subspecies japonica). This paper presents the "finished" genome and discusses technical and statistical findings. Among them, it identifies a "high degree of collinearity" between chromosome 10 and its counterpart in sorghum and maize. The paper says that this validates the usefulness of rice as "a foundation species in comparative genomics of cereal crops." Chromosome 10 is the smallest of the 12 chromosomes in the japonica rice variety and is the third to be "finished;" rice chromosomes one and four were published in November 2002. Like the previous publications, the paper concludes that "finished" sequence is significantly more complete and accurate than the draft rice genome sequence that was published in 2002. An accompanying article (Surprises Inside a Green Grass Genome; Science; June 6) discusses the significance of the latest findings. It contends that "finished" genome sequences "will quickly become the gold standard for both public and corporate research." It also discusses the implications for "post-genomic" research, which has focused on the task of assigning a function to each identified gene.

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This document is one of several "Action Plans" adopted by the leaders of the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations during their June 2003 summit. It identifies factors that contribute to famine, and it calls for "vulnerable countries" to adopt institutional reforms. It notes a "special" need for increased investment in agriculture. The document describes the leaders�' commitment to help famine-prone countries to: 1) meet emergency food assistance needs; 2) improve assessment capacities, warning systems, and prevention mechanisms; 3) increase aid effectiveness, through support of more flexible and efficient approaches; and 4) support longer-term initiatives to address food insecurity. With regard to the last point, the document expresses support for the "promotion of food crops and of competitiveness of export crops." It adds, "We will encourage improved scientific resources and adaptation of new and improved agricultural technologies including tried and tested biotechnology for use in developing countries." The document can be viewed online at the link below.

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The government of Peru has ratified the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. In announcing the decision, Peruvian ambassador Jose Pablo Moran Val emphasized the significance of the Treaty to his country, stating, "It is fundamental to protect Peru's indigenous varieties of our region and it will benefit our producers, especially rural farmers who are responsible for having preserved these species over the centuries." The article reports that, to date, 20 countries have ratified, accepted, or acceded to the Treaty. It reiterates that when at least 40 countries have done so, the agreement becomes binding. Eighty-seven countries and the European Union have signed the Treaty. The article can be viewed online at the link below. [Other countries that have ratified or acceded during 2003 include Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mauritius, and Uganda.]

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U.S.-based organic farmers have indicated that their production costs are increasing due to the presence of genetically modified (GM) crops. The California-based Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) conducted a survey of organic farmers based on their 2001 crop year. Eight percent of the respondents said they had paid direct costs or damages related to the presence of GMOs in agriculture. Some of those costs included: payment for tests to check for the presence of GMO "contamination;" loss of organic sales due to the presence of GMOs in organic products or perceived "contamination" risk; and loss of organic farm certification. Among other results, 19 percent of the respondents indicated that they had increased the size of "buffer zones" between their fields and neighboring fields, 15 percent had adjusted the timing of their crop planting, 13 percent had altered their cropping patterns, and nine percent had changed their cropping locations. Information about the survey can be viewed online at the link below. In a related article (Associated Press; June 5), Nell Newman of organic cookie maker Newman's Own said that GM crops are "the bane of the organic industry."

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This article overviews the factors that affect the process of technology transfer from universities to private-sector companies, saying that successful university licensing offices approach the process from a "marketing perspective." Author Jon Sandelin, a retiree of the Stanford Office of Technology Licensing, says that the key participants in the process are the inventor, the licensing associate employed by the university, and a person employed by the potential licensee company who believes the invention is important (i.e. the "invention advocate within the company" or IAC). The article describes the roles of each of these participants. For example, it emphasizes that the licensing associate should make significant efforts to garner the attention of the IAC and subsequently convert that attention into a "conviction" that the company needs the invention. The four-page article concludes with a set of "policies, procedures, resources, and guiding principles." Among the "principles," the piece encourages licensing associates to "maintain a university view, not a licensing office view, when looking at issues."

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Bio Economic Research Associates (bio-era), a research and advisory firm, has organized a teleconference entitled, "Life Lines or Land Mines: Intellectual Asset Strategies in Agricultural Biotechnology." The event will be held June 12, 2003, at 12:00 pm EDT. An announcement states: "This teleconference will explore the commercial, strategic, and policy implications of the interdependencies among three key intellectual property (IP) components: transformation methods, trait genes, and elite germplasm. We will discuss factors that could change the IP landscape and alternative IP strategies to protect and capture value." There is no fee to participate, but participation is limited. To learn more and apply to participate, visit (http://www.bio-era.net/be_services_events.php). An audio file of a previous teleconference can be accessed by registering at (http://www.bio-era.net/regform.php).

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This book discusses the controversy related to agricultural biotechnology. According to the book's publisher, author Peter Pringle "shows how both sides in this overheated conflict have made false promises, engaged in propaganda science, and indulged in fear-mongering." The publisher says that Pringle calls for the development of a "fertile partnership" among consumers, corporations, scientists, and farmers. He contends, according to the publisher, that such a partnership "could still allow the biotech harvest to reach its full potential." In his review of the book, plant scientist Robert Goodman commented: "Peter Pringle presents the most comprehensive and lucid account yet of the history, science, and politics of food made with genetic engineering. Along the way he tells many fascinating stories, among them an account of the great Russian botanist N. I. Vavilov and how his massive food-crop seed collection came to be spared from Hitler's bombardment of Leningrad." Information about the 256-page book can be viewed online at the link below.

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This statement addresses the European Union (EU)'s draft legislation regarding the adventitious presence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in non-GM products. Following a discussion about the perceived benefits of genetically modified (GM) crops, the statement calls for the EU to adopt "practical" tolerance levels. In this regard, it expresses objection to the EU's proposed "zero tolerance" legislation, saying that such standards are unattainable by neither developed nor developing countries. The statement also calls for the EU to reconsider its "labeling and traceability" legislation, saying that African countries would need to comply with such measures in order to maintain their export markets with the EU. Arguing that GM food labeling in Africa would be "impractical," the statement says that the enforcement of such laws "could all but destroy the affordability of biotechnology products and impede their adoption in the poorer regions of the world that need it most." The statement was developed through consultations among members of the African Biotechnology Stakeholder�s Forum.

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Organizers of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) upcoming ministerial-level conference have invited representatives from more than 100 developing countries to discuss agricultural technologies for increasing farm productivity. According to the article, several groups that oppose genetically modified (GM) crops plan to protest during the conference. Members of those groups suspect that GM crops may be the focus of the event, given the recent public support for such crops from U.S. President George Bush and the U.S.-led action at the World Trade Organization against the European Union's de facto moratorium on agricultural biotechnology products. Conference organizer Christian Foster downplayed speculation that the event is being held to promote GM crops. Foster said that other major topics of discussion would include water development, satellite mapping systems, and waste management. The Ministerial Conference and Expo on Agricultural Science and Technology will be held June 23-25, 2003, in Sacramento, California, which is the governmental capitol of that state. The article can be viewed online at the link below. [Information about the conference can be viewed at http://www.fas.usda.gov/icd/stconf/conf_main.htm]

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The Cassava Biotechnology Network will hold its Sixth International Scientific Meeting on March 8-14, 2004, at the International Center of Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), in Cali, Colombia. The event's theme will be, "Adding Value to Cassava: Applying Biotechnology to a Small-Farmer Crop." Information can be viewed online at the link below.

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The U.K.-based Nuffield Council on Bioethics has released a draft discussion paper that addresses a range of issues related to the use of genetically modified (GM) crops in developing countries. The paper is a follow-up to the Council's 1999 report on ethical and social issues. The draft paper states, "[T]he use of GM crops can, in some circumstances, have considerable potential to increase yields of crops, thereby improving agricultural practice and the livelihood of poor people in developing countries." It says there is insufficient evidence to justify a moratorium on field trials or controlled releases of GM crops, and it calls for renewed public-sector research efforts. Among specific issues, the Council addresses the impact of the European Union (EU)'s policies on GM crops. The paper links EU regulations to developing countries' resistance to adopt GM crops, citing those countries' fears of lost EU export markets. It recommends the establishment of a mechanism to monitor the potential adverse effects of EU regulations. In addressing the issue of food aid, the Council recommends that humanitarian organizations purchase non-GM grains for those developing countries that prefer it. Furthermore, the paper states, "Where only donations of GM varieties are available and developing countries object to their import solely on the basis of environmental risks, we recommend that food aid be provided in milled form." Among other points, the draft document: 1) warns against "highly restrictive interpretations" of the precautionary principle, saying that, in some cases, the use of GM crops "may well pose fewer risks than the agricultural system already in operation;" 2) endorses regulatory capacity-building initiatives in developing countries, noting the efforts by the United Nations Environment Program/Global Environment Facility; and 3) calls for further data about the cost-effectiveness, risks, and practicality of Golden Rice and for comparisons between it and other methods that address micronutrient deficiency. The 104-page draft paper can be downloaded from the link below. The Council will accept comments on the draft through August 8, 2003, and the final version is scheduled to be published in early October 2003.

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This article contends that farmers' rights to save and reuse seeds are diminishing due to increasingly strict limitations in plant variety protection (PVP) laws. It asserts that plant breeders in the seed industry are using intellectual property rights (IPRs) as a means to build a "monopoly" on the rights to use seed varieties. While many groups in the industry say that they work to preserve "farmers' privilege," the article argues that those groups are working to restrict seed saving through the promotion of legal systems via entities such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Country-by-country, for 52 countries, the article briefly describes the legal stipulations that determine whether farmers can save and reuse PVP-seeds without authorization from the plant breeder. For example, the article reports that in Cameroon (and several other African countries), farmers can only engage in such practices when: 1) the PVP-seed is from their own harvest (i.e. they didn't receive it from another farmer); 2) they replant the seed on their own farm (i.e. no sharing, exchanging, or selling); and 3) the seed is not a fruit, tree, or ornamental species. The article can be viewed online at the link below.

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This opinion piece advocates support for the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), a U.S. government initiative that aims to reduce global poverty and hunger through development assistance. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell says the initiative is directed at those developing countries that "govern justly, invest in their people, and encourage economic freedom." He says the program would help the governments of recipient countries to finance investments in human health, education, and agriculture, though he emphasizes that the MCA would reinforce (not replace) development assistance programs that are already in place, such as USAID. Powell says that through the MCA, the U.S. and recipient countries would agree to business-like contracts that set "benchmarks and responsibilities." Powell says the program would be managed by an independent Millennium Challenge Corporation, adding that he would serve as chairman of the board for the Corporation. In its conclusion, the piece asks readers to support the proposed MCA, which is currently under consideration in the U.S. Congress. The opinion piece can be viewed online at the link below.

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The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has granted US$14.8 million to the Program for Biosafety Systems (PBS). The program is aimed at helping developing countries bolster their capacity to make policy and regulatory decisions related to genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The article states, "[PBS's] unique approach addresses biosafety as part of a sustainable development strategy, anchored by agriculture-led economic growth, trade, and environment objectives." PBS will be managed by a consortium of groups led by the International Service for National Agricultural Research (ISNAR). The article lists five "member" groups based in the U.S. and Canada as well as 13 "partner" institutions and organizations in developing countries, such as the Kenya-based African Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum. PBS will concentrate its initial efforts in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and countries in eastern and western Africa. The article says the program began in May 2003 and will continue for five years. A participatory planning meeting for collaborators from all levels is scheduled for July 2003. The article can be downloaded at the link below.

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This book addresses a range of issues that related to food safety, including mycotoxins, pesticides, heavy metals, and radionuclides. One chapter describes the potential human health effects of genetically modified (GM) foods. The chapter, which was authored by Arpad Pusztai and others, examines the results of several human health-related studies that were published in both peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed journals. According to the authors, the studies demonstrate that the first generation of GM crops has not produced "predictably safe and wholesome" products. The authors also say that most GM crops "fall short of the definition of 'substantial equivalence'" with relation to the crops' parental lines. Another chapter in the book, written by Mike Gasson of the U.K.-based Institute of Food Research, describes the techniques and procedures that are used for safety assessments of GM foods. The author says that the methods used thus far have proved effective, though he asserts that new methods will be necessary as GM crops are developed with more complex genetic traits. All chapters of the 480-page book can be downloaded from the link below.

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This article summarizes the outcomes of a UNIDO-sponsored regional consultation that was held in Nairobi, Kenya, during mid-March 2003. The meeting was in preparation for UNIDO's Global Biotechnology Forum, which is scheduled to be held in Chile during 2004. The participants endorsed three initiatives that they felt would most effectively strengthen Africa's agricultural biotechnology sector. One was the establishment of an international consortium to address mycotoxins and aflatoxins. Another was a regional mechanism to help nations enhance their biosafety capacity. A third initiative was the establishment of an "Intra-African biotech network" that would facilitate the flow of strategic information among African countries. The article says that UNIDO will conduct technical and economic feasibility studies for each of the three initiatives. Dependent upon the results, each initiative may be developed into a more "concrete" project proposal that could be presented to potential donors during the 2004 meeting in Chile. In addition to the proposed plans, the article briefly describes some institutional and organizational weaknesses that participants identified during their discussions. The article can be viewed online at the link below.

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The U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Research discussed plant biotechnology research and development in Africa during a hearing held on June 12, 2003. Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert testified that the European Union (EU)'s "irrational" policies toward genetically modified (GM) foods had caused African countries to reject shipments of U.S. food aid. He asserted that such policies were hindering the widespread use of agricultural biotechnology in Africa. Meanwhile, Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Rita Colwell emphasized the recent efforts among several U.S. agencies to support research collaborations between scientists from U.S. academic institutions and those in developing countries. Administrator of USAID Andrew Natsios overviewed the "rumors" of "hysteria" that he said were perpetrated by groups that oppose GM crops in Africa. Natsios also echoed Calwell�s testimony, highlighting the evolving efforts between USAID and NSF to support collaborative research. Other witnesses that delivered testimony included: Robert Horsch, Vice-President of Product and Technology Cooperation for Monsanto; John Kilama, President of the Global Bioscience Development Institute; and Gordon Conway, President of the Rockefeller Foundation. All of the witnesses stressed that GM crops are one approach among many that should be available to address food insecurity in Africa. An archived webcast and other information related to the event can be viewed online at the link below.

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This report presents a comprehensive assessment of the risks and benefits of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food and agriculture. It examines more than 50 science-based reviews prepared by national academies of sciences, international organizations, and private agencies between the years of 2000 to 2002. The report says that all currently available GM food products are safe for human consumption. With regard to the effects of GM crops in the environment, the report stresses that such effects depend largely on the specific GM application in question, the agricultural system in which the application is used, and the ecosystem into which it is introduced. It notes that there is no evidence to prove that deleterious environmental effects have occurred due to gene flow from GM crops into land races and related wild plants. Regarding regulatory systems, the report says that interpretations in risk assessment and management differ amongst countries and regions, although the data sought by regulators are similar. The report also states that the cost, complexity, and "uncertainty" of regulation make regulatory requirements a "barrier to entry" for public research institutes, poor countries, and small companies. In discussing the effect of GM foods on trade, the report notes a "lack of clarity" in international standards. The 58-page document can be viewed online at the link below.

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The U.N. Food and Agriculture (FAO) Working Group on Biotechnology has launched French- and Spanish-language versions of its free news service, entitled FAO-BiotechNews. To subscribe to the French service, send an e-mail to mailserv@mailserv.fao.org leaving the subject blank and entering the following one-line text message: subscribe FAO-BiotechNews-Fr-L To subscribe to the Spanish service, send an e-mail to mailserv@mailserv.fao.org leaving the subject blank and entering the following one-line text message: subscribe FAO-BiotechNews-Esp-L

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The European Union (EU) has filed a World Trade Organization (WTO) case against the United States (US) to dispute the States use of "zeroing" when performing calculations of anti-dumping duties. According to the article, "zeroing" is a method that excludes negative margins during the calculation. The article says that "zeroing" as practiced by the U.S. is "having a significant adverse economic impact" on EU exporters in sectors such as steel, chemicals, and pasta. EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy commented: "The EU has already abandoned [the use of 'zeroing'] and has several times asked the US to do likewise, in order to ensure a level playing field. Unfortunately, the US refuses to move on this issue, and regrettably we are left with no choice but to refer the matter to the WTO." The article asserts that precedent has already been set. It notes that a WTO ruling on a prior dispute case "unambiguously condemned" the practice of "zeroing." [A related article reports that the EU's case is the latest EU-US dispute to be settled at the WTO, including a dispute about the EU's policies on agricultural biotechnology products.] The article can be viewed online at the link below.

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A protein-rich genetically modified (GM) potato variety is in the final stages of the regulatory approval process in India. Manju Sharma, director of India's Department of Biotechnology, says she is "very confident" that the GM "protato" will receive regulatory approval before the end of 2003. [According to a related article (Times of India; June 12), the Indian Council of Agricultural Research maintains that 2005 would be the earliest potential final approval date, in contrast with Sharma's assertion.] The article says the "protato" contains about one third more protein than non-GM varieties, and its developers say that it could help address malnutrition in children. Some who oppose the proposed release of the "protato" say that the product is part of a broader campaign to promote GM crops in India. Devinder Sharma, a food and trade policy analyst, argues that pulses should be used to address protein deficiency. Sharma says pulses contain 20 to 26 percent protein, while the "protato" contains only 2.5 percent. The article can be viewed online at the link below.

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Southern Africa will continue to require substantial food assistance despite the fact that more food was produced during 2003 than during the region's severe food crisis in 2002. The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Program identified the need during a recent assessment of Lesotho, Malawi, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Zambia. The article says that the region as a whole has produced enough food to meet more than two-thirds of its food requirements. Food security has improved regionally due to increased productivity in Zambia and Malawi. However, the article says that production increases have been geographically uneven; Zimbabwe's 2003 harvest met only 40 percent of its needs. During 2003-04, the region will need to import at least 2.6 million tons of food to meet its minimum food needs. The article says that food surpluses in South Africa "far exceed" that amount, and it notes that cross-border trade among the region's countries will continue to ease the food problem. While agricultural production has increased, the detrimental effects of HIV/AIDS continue to drive the need for food aid. The article also notes that physical and economic access to food continue to be problematic for certain segments of the population. The article can be viewed online at the link below.

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The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety will become international law on September 11, 2003. Fifty instruments of ratification, accession, approval, or acceptance were needed to initiate a 90-day countdown to the Protocol's entry into force. That countdown began on June 13, 2003, when the government of Palau announced it had ratified the agreement. The first Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol will be held during the first quarter of 2004 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Information can be viewed online at the link below.

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U.K. Minister of Environment Michael Meacher has announced his resignation. The article says that Meacher was the "most outspoken critic" of genetically modified (GM) crops within the administration of U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair. It reports that Meacher's departure was announced amid a "reshuffling" of ministerial positions in Blair's administration. During interviews following his announcement, Meacher emphasized that there have been no trials to assess the potential impacts of GM foods on human health. He asked the public to remain "duly cautious" on the commercial release of GM crops, a proposal that is currently being considered by the U.K. government. Of Meacher's resignation, Soil Association director Patrick Holden said, "It now appears that there is maybe no one left in the Government on the side of the public and organic farmers in opposing the commercialization of GM crops." A press release from environmental group Friends of the Earth stataed, "[Blair's] decision to sack [Meacher] is yet another sign that the government is failing to take Green issues seriously." The article can be viewed online at the link below.

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French President Jacques Chirac said that his country is not yet ready to allow widespread use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). While addressing an international meeting of young farmers in Paris during June 2003, Chirac commented, "We have to make sure that GMOs answer real needs and that the precautionary principle is respected...To me, these conditions do not seem to be fulfilled today." According to the article, Chirac asserted that it was premature to end the European Union's de facto moratorium on agricultural biotechnology products. Chirac also expressed his opposition to any policy that would force France to adopt GMOs. Chirac stated, "Each country should be able to make the choice as a sovereign nation and in a responsible way."

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The Biotechnology Information Center (EBIC) in Giza, Egypt, has launched its official website. The site is considered to be the first in Arabic that addresses biotechnology and genetic engineering. EBIC was established by Egypt's Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation; it is part of the Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology network of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications. The website can be viewed at the link below.

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The Sudanese government is conducting a three-month review of its policies on the importation of genetically modified (GM) foods. World Food Program (WFP) official Robin Lodge said the organization had received a letter from the Sudanese Standards and Metrology Organization (a government body) in May 2003 that outlined a ban on imports of GM food. Lodge said WFP did not test food aid for GM content because there are neither international guidelines that mandate such tests nor international agreements on tolerance levels. Lodge added, "WFP has never pressed any recipient government to accept GM food." The article reports that a number of food shipments donated primarily by the U.S. through the WFP had been embargoed for a week in Port Sudan due to concerns that the aid contained GM foods. However, Sudanese officials lifted the embargo on June 14. The Sudanese government has guaranteed that it would permit the WFP to continue to import food aid consignments through December 2003 while its conducts a review. Sudanese government representative Muhammad Dirdeiry said that among several considerations, the government would like to know whether it is possible for the African Union to "take a decision" on the issue of GM foods. Dirdeiry said that his country would not make a "unitary decision" on the issue, but rather would comply with any potential Africa-wide consensus. The article can be viewed online at the link below.

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This opinion piece calls for both opponents and proponents of genetically modified (GM) crops to distribute evidence-based, rational publications. It contends that emotional and subjective statements have pushed the highly contentious issue further into the realm of politics rather than that of sound science. The article praises two recent reports--one from the International Council for Science Union (ICSU) and another from the Nuffield Council on Bioethics--for their objective "systematic" analyses of the issues. Meanwhile, it castigates a report released by ActionAid, saying that it was based "primarily on anecdotal evidence" and asserting that it gave "heavy weighting" to evidence that supported a predetermined conclusion. While critical of the ActionAid report, the article suggests that GM crop opponents raise some valid "non-scientific" issues. In this regard, the article says that the ICSU and Nuffield reports should have more thoroughly discussed the "way in which the intellectual property system helps to increase the control of developing-country agriculture by multinational corporations." It also says that each report should have addressed the widely held belief that GM foods are "unnatural." The article concludes, "It may be tempting to dismiss such arguments as 'unscientific;' doing so, however, risks not only losing sight of issues that lie at the heart of the current arguments, but also undermining their ultimate effectiveness." The article can be viewed online at the link below.

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The Japanese Parliament has approved legislation that will enable the government to regulate the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), including GM products that are imported into that country. The bill, which was approved on June 10 and will come into force within a year, specifically addresses GM crops and substances used in pest and weed control. Under the new law, importers will be required to file paperwork for each GMO-related transaction. Imports of living GMOs will be inspected by regulatory agencies. In addition, groups that plan to use GMOs in the open environment will be required to report their plans to regulatory agencies. The article says that if any "accidents" are caused by the use of GMOs, then the responsible parties involved will be required to report the incident and take "appropriate remedial actions." Violators of the law will be subject to up to one-year imprisonment or a fine of up to US$8,700. Officials of Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, say that the new law will enable the country to ratify the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The officials said that the Parliament would consider such a resolution during its next extraordinary session in late 2003.

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Researchers have new evidence demonstrating that transgenes can transfer from genetically modified (GM) sugar beets into sea beets, a closely related wild relative. A team led by Jean-Francois Arnaud of Lille University in France analyzed a set of chloroplast molecular marker genes in three distinct populations: 1) "weedy" sugar beets living in a field of crop sugar beets; 2) wild coastal sea beets situated approximately 1.5 km from the field; and 3) plants living in the "contact zone" between the crop field and the wild population. They found that the chloroplast marker genes transferred from the "weedy" sugar beets into the wild sea beets, but not via gene flow from pollen grains. Instead, they found that the genes transferred via seed dispersal, which was most likely due to the accidental transport of seeds within soils carried on motor vehicles. Arnaud said the results "highlight the likelihood for transgene escape resulting from man-mediated long-distance seed dispersal events." Arnaud also said the results emphasize the importance of maintaining seed banks for agricultural biodiversity. The original research article, entitled "Evidence for gene flow via seed dispersal from crop to wild relatives in Beta vulgaris (Chenopodiaceae): consequences for the release of genetically modified crop species with weedy lineages," was published June 18 in an early addition of the peer-reviewed Royal Society journal Proceedings: Biological Sciences.

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U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Deputy Commissioner Lester Crawford has said that foods derived from genetically modified (GM) crops are safe for human health and do not need regulatory approval from his agency. While testifying before a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee, Crawford said that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) already adequately regulate GM crops. He said that FDA is inclined to reject a proposed rule that would require agricultural biotechnology companies to notify the FDA before they commercialize their products. Greg Jaffe of the Washington-based Center for Science in the Public Interest says that without a regulation, companies could withhold data such as the results from field trials. Conversely, Lisa Dry of the Biotechnology Industry Organization maintains that companies are already voluntarily sharing their data because such action allows the FDA to give the companies a letter of approval for their products. She noted that food processors demand the letter in order to do business. Crawford testified June 17, 2003. A transcript of Crawford's prepared statement can be viewed online at the link below.

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This opinion piece calls for renewed interest in Africa's indigenous food plants, contending that the widespread adoption of such plants would have "tremendous" impact on food insecurity and the promotion of peace. The piece says Africans have been cultivating cash crops (such as tea, cocoa, and coffee) in order to export them to Western countries in exchange for money to import food. The author criticizes this practice, saying it has pushed traditional African food crops (such as finger millet, fonio, sorghum, and tef) to the "verge of extinction." The article calls for the international community to promote the use of Africa's "lost crops" as a component of sustainable development. In this context, it states, "Instead of dumping their obsolete pesticides and genetically engineered seeds to desperate Africans, Europe and North America ought to move aggressively to bring back to life the very crops they have been encouraging Africans to forget." The author was an adviser to the U.N. Development Program on sustainable development in African food security during 1995-96. The article can be viewed online at the link below.

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Researchers have developed transgenic coffee plants that contain significantly lower amounts of caffeine. Using a method called RNA interface (RNAi), a team led by Shinjiro Ogita at the Nara Institute of Science and Technology in Japan engineered a variety of coffee plant (Coffea canephora) so that it did not express a gene that contributes to the biosynthesis of caffeine. The team found that the young leaves of the transgenic plants contained 50 to 70 percent less caffeine than unmodified plants. The article explains that coffee beans currently are decaffeinated through an industrial process that is expensive and affects the flavor of the beans. However, the researchers that the latest results will lead to coffee beans that are "intrinsically deficient" in caffeine. The team is now using the RNAi-based technique to attempt to create transgenic low-caffeine varieties of Coffea arabica, the coffee species that accounts for approximately 70 percent of the world market. The report can be downloaded from the link below.

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This report contends that some U.S. farmers who plant genetically modified (GM) Bt corn are not complying with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. According to the report, the EPA requires corn farms to plant 20 percent of their acreage with non-Bt corn as a mechanism for preventing insects from developing resistance to Bt toxin. To investigate farm compliance with the rule, the report authors obtained data collected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service. To assess farmer compliance, the EPA usually uses the results of farm phone surveys that are conducted by the biotechnology industry. However, the authors say that the USDA data is more reliable. The USDA data showed that 19 percent of all Bt corn farms in Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska violated EPA's refuge regulation during 2002. Thirteen percent of all Bt corn farms planted no refuge at all. The report says that the high degree of farm noncompliance is "woefully inadequate." It argues that such practices could "jeopardize the environmental benefits" of current GM crops and could lessen "the public's confidence in the regulatory system's ability to safeguard more complex, and potentially more dangerous, applications of biotechnology." The report calls for EPA to adopt new strategies, saying the agency should: 1) use the USDA�s data, rather than solely the biotech industry�s surveys; 2) require Bt corn "registrants" (i.e. sellers) to conduct regular on-site inspections to assess compliance; 3) require farmers to provide "registrants" with maps that identify locations for their Bt corn and non-Bt refuge areas; and 4) make the Bt corn sellers accountable for farmer noncompliance. The report can be downloaded from the link below.

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Consultations have ended between the United States (US) and the European Union (EU) over the EU's de facto moratorium on approvals of agricultural biotechnology products. Following a negotiation session on June 19, U.S. Trade Representative spokesperson Richard Mills said that he was "disappointed but not surprised." Mills said the U.S. would soon request that the World Trade Organization (WTO) convene a panel of judges to hear the case. The article says that a decision will likely require several months. A spokesperson for the European Commission echoed Mills, saying that EU officials had regarded the consultations as a necessary "first formal step" before a WTO panel is convened. [An official EU statement about the negotiations can be viewed at the link below.] On May 13, 2003, a U.S.-led consortium of countries filed a request for consultations with the EU over the matter. The article notes that officials from Argentina, a country that was part of the consortium, attended the June 19 consultations.

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This discussion paper examines the potential economic implications of co-existence among genetically modified (GM) crops, conventional crops, and organic crops in the European Union (EU). It overviews research data about the potential costs of complying with tolerance levels for the adventitious presence of GM material in non-GM products. In this regard, it discusses on-farm crop segregation and separation distances in fields. The paper also discusses the potential consequences of not meeting tolerance levels, that is, the possible financial losses for conventional and organic farmers incurred by the presence of GM material in non-GM products. Based on the evidence presented, the paper concludes that GM crops "will have a fairly limited economic impact" on non-GM and organic farming. It also states, "[T]he difficulties portrayed for organic and non-GM farmers by many in the anti-GM lobby are probably substantially overstated." The 12-page paper can be downloaded from the link below.

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This paper maintains that policy and institutional changes are necessary in Kenya in order for the benefits of agricultural biotechnology to have lasting positive social impacts among that nation's smallholder farmers. It calls for harmonization among local, national, and international efforts, and it says that such efforts should focus on critical issues such as biosafety, the preservation of biodiversity, and intellectual property rights. To support policy and institutional change, the paper says that training for research and agricultural extension personnel is needed. It also notes a need for "linkages" with the private sector. Among the key points highlighted in its conclusion, the paper says that ag biotech innovations should not be transferred into Kenya at a pace that is faster than the nation�s capacity to "cope." In this context, it states, "Ensuring that effective policy and institutional mechanisms not only exist but also are enforced in Kenya is especially critical to the capacity of the public research sector to respond to national and local food security needs." The paper presents two case studies, transgenic sweet potato and Bt maize, and it describes the "lessons learned" from each project. The 34-page paper can be downloaded from the link below.

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Hundreds of activists protested in downtown Sacramento, California, on the eve of a ministerial-level conference that was organized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Representatives from more than 100 developing countries were invited by the USDA to discuss farming and pest management techniques that could be used to address hunger in their countries. The event is not opened to the public, and protesters say it is being held to promote the use of genetically modified (GM) crops in developing countries. They argue that U.S. corporate and market interests in developing countries are the primary motivation for the event. Food First policy analyst Raj Patel stated, "The real cause of hunger is poverty�Nothing that is going on in that conference will deal with that fundamental problem." The article reports that the demonstrations are expected to intensify during the three-day meeting. Law enforcement officials said they welcome peaceful protest, but also said that they are prepared to curtail potential violence such as that that occurred during the 1999 World Trade Organization ministerial event in Seattle.

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U.S. President George Bush has renewed his public criticism of the European Union (EU)'s de facto moratorium on approvals of new agricultural biotechnology products. During a June 23 address at a conference of the U.S.-based Biotechnology Industry Organization, Bush said that the EU's opposition to genetically modified (GM) crops is based on "unsound, unscientific fears." He asserted that EU trade policies were causing African nations to avoid investment into ag biotech, and in this context, he stated,: "For the sake of a continent threatened by famine, I urge the European governments to end their opposition to biotechnology. We should encourage the spread of safe, effective biotechnology to win the fight against global hunger." Bush's comments on the issue were among several related to the biotechnology industry. Bush encouraged the U.S. Congress to enact proposed Medicare legislation. He also advocated Project Bioshield, a US$6 billion, five-year plan to help develop vaccines and treatments for bioterror agents such as anthrax. A transcript of Bush's remarks can be viewed online at the link below.

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This opinion piece criticizes the recent summit meeting of the European Union (EU). It argues that EU leaders should have discussed proposals for reform of the EU common agricultural policy (CAP) rather than issues such as illegal immigration and asylum policies. According to the article, CAP reform is needed to help curtail subsidies to EU farmers and thereby open world markets for competition from poor farmers in developing countries. The article reports that EU agricultural ministers had recently reached consensus on a proposal for reform. However, it says that French President Jacques Chirac threatened to veto it, noting that his country is the largest beneficiary of the current CAP. In addition, the article criticizes German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder for his willingness to support France's "intransigence." The article concludes, "The union's reinvigorated Paris-Berlin axis�does not always act in Europe's best interest. And it definitely is not acting in the interest of the world's poor." The article notes that the U.S. also heavily subsidizes its farmers. The article can be viewed online at the link below.

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U.S. President George W. Bush will begin a six-day, five-nation trip through Africa beginning on July 7, 2003. He will visit Senegal, South Africa, Botswana, Uganda, and Nigeria. The trip will be his first to the continent. The article says that Bush is expected to focus on several administration initiatives involving Africa, primarily a new law that authorizing U.S.$15 billion for fighting HIV/AIDS in 12 African and two Caribbean countries. The article adds that Bush may also work to promote the creation of a free trade negotiation with southern Africa and may work to address the European Union's policies on genetically modified foods.

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This newsletter overviews the continuing progress of UNEP/GEF projects that are aimed at developing and implementing national biosafety frameworks in developing countries. It reports that there are now 117 countries participating in the development project. With regards to the implementation project, the article describes "start-up" activities that each country must fulfill, such as submitting draft biosafety legislation to a review panel of international legal experts. The article notes that UNEP/GEF is working to synergize with other organizations that are also facilitating the development and implementation of national biosafety programs. Electronic copies of UNEP/GEF's Biosafety Newsletter can be downloaded from the link below.

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A delegation of African scientists and farmers visiting the U.S. says that African nations should have easier access to biotechnology in order to help address hunger and promote economic growth. The delegation addressed the annual conference of the Biotechnology Industry Organization, which is being held in Washington DC. Florence Wambugu, founder of A Harvest Biotech Foundation International, said that access to modern food technologies was "critically important" for poor African families. Wambugu expressed her support for the U.S.-led World Trade Organization case against the European Union (EU)'s de facto moratorium on approvals of new agricultural biotechnology products. She said the EU's policies were a "negative blow" to Africa. Meanwhile, Peter Rammutla of the National African Farmers Union said that the use of genetically modified crops in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa has led to higher yields and has improved the quality of life for many smallhold-farmers. In addition to Wambugu and Rammutla, the delegation included Diran Makinde of the University of Venda for Science and Technology in Thohoyandou, South Africa, and Thandiwe Myeni, a South African cotton farmer. The article notes that the African delegation was scheduled to testify before a committee of the U.S. Congress. More information about the delegation's visit can be viewed online at the link below.

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This paper summarizes the outcomes of an expert workshop that discussed new methods and techniques used for assessing potential protein allergenicity in genetically modified (GM) foods. The paper examines bioinformatics and risk assessment as applied in the context of clinical prevention and management of food allergies. It also presents information about in vitro models used for assessing digestibility. In addition, it shares data on in vivo models--both rodent and nonrodent models--used for assessing protein allergenicity. In evaluating the state of the art, the paper says that "significant progress" has been made. However, it notes that all potential testing strategies should be evaluated in order to determine their sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility.

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This paper predicts that the adoption and use of genetically modified (GM) crops throughout Europe would lead to increased food productivity, lower farm costs, and reduced pesticide use on that continent. The paper presents three case studies of GM crops--Bt maize, fungus-resistant potatoes, and herbicide-tolerant sugarbeets--that were grown in field trials or small-scale production sites in Europe. Extrapolating from the data presented in the case studies, the authors calculated that continent-wide growth of the three GM crops would result in a total crop yield increase of 7.8 billion pounds, a farm income gain of more than 1 billion euros, and a reduction in pesticide use of about 9.7 million pounds. The authors of the paper say it is the first comprehensive, quantitative evaluation of the potential impact of GM crops in European agriculture. [During 2002, NCFAP released a similar study about the U.S.] Monsanto, Syngenta, and the Biotechnology Industry Organization provided funding for the European study. The release of the three case studies is the first in a series that NCFAP will release during 2003. The report can be downloaded from the link below.

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This essay advocates renewed interest for institutional structures to support agricultural sectors in developing countries, saying that such structures can help address the needs of local farmers and lead to reductions in rural poverty. Director General of ISNAR Stein Bie says that innovational linking among public, private, and NGO institutions "holds the key to more creative adaptive research in agriculture and related fields." Among other points, he calls for training of agricultural research managers and staff, adding that this effort is increasingly important as agricultural research becomes more intertwined with bio- and information-technology. In its conclusion, the essay says that new technologies have failed to emerge in support of the rural poor because of decreasing support from donor countries for primary rural industries. In this context, it states: "New institutions must arise. They will be different, founded on modern, mixed economies, with cross-sector links, and they will have the poor farmers as their main client." The essay was published in ISNAR's 2002 annual report. The report includes an update of project activities, a list of recent publications, a financial overview, and an article about ISNAR�s Ecoregional Fund. The report can be downloaded at the link below.

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This editorial piece criticizes the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush, asserting that its offers of humanitarian assistance to African nations are motivated by market strategies rather than by a sincere desire to reduce poverty. Specifically, the piece castigates Bush's recent criticism of the European Union (EU)'s policies toward genetically modified crops. Bush contends that the EU's intransigence on transgenic crops is causing African nations to avoid investment into agricultural biotechnology. The piece suggests that Bush's aim is to open African markets in order to assist American biotechnology companies that want to recoup their investments into GM crop-related research. Furthermore, it says U.S. humanitarian funds would be used to purchase food exclusively from those companies. The piece states, "Bush does not sound at all like a philanthropist keen to deliver starving Africans from their misery; he sounds like a smooth-tongued salesman for American biotech."

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A conference entitled "Assuring Food and Nutrition Security in Africa by 2020" will be held April 1-3, 2004, in Kampala, Uganda. The conference is organized by the 2020 Vision Initiative of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in partnership with the government of Uganda. More information can be viewed online at the link below.

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The European Union (EU) Council on Agriculture has reached consensus on a reform plan for the common agricultural policy (CAP), a system that distributes subsidies to EU farmers. The most significant change under the agreed plan is that subsidies will no longer be distributed based on the quantity of food produced by a farmer. However, subsidies will continue and will be linked to environmental, food safety, and animal welfare standards. EU ag commissioner Franz Fischler called the new plan "fundamentally" different, saying it marked "the beginning of a new era." Conversely, France's ag ministry, which opposed radical reform proposals, said that the agreed upon plan "preserves the essential principals" of CAP. The system, which accounts for about half (43 billion Euros) of the entire EU budget, has long been criticized as a one that distorts global trade markets and prevents competition from farmers in developing countries. The article reports that the accepted reform plan is "watered down" from earlier proposals. The head of Germany's farmer unions stated, "It's a typical EU compromise which gives and takes a little from everyone and creates terrible difficulties for those who have to implement it." Meanwhile, Oxfam and ActionAid criticized the plan, saying that it is unlikely to decrease overproduction and "dumping" into global trade markets. The story can be viewed online at (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3021728.stm). [An official EU press release can be viewed at the link below.]

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This study reports that the negative impacts of agricultural systems on biodiversity can be lessened via the use of genetically modified (GM) crops. Study author Klaus Ammann presents a literature review, dividing the findings into those that address either crop-field or off-site (i.e. "natural") biodiversity. Based on the review, Ammann says biotechnology could improve crop diversification and lead to reductions in tillage and broad-spectrum insecticide usage. These factors, he contends, can reduce negative agricultural impacts on biodiversity. Ammann also asserts that increased crop production efficiency, which is an attribute of GM crops, reduces the need to convert natural habitats into fields, thus also reducing negative agricultural impacts on biodiversity. In addition, Ammann addresses a relationship between GM crops and aquatic system biodiversity. He says that reductions in field tillage, as brought about by GM crops, can reduce the unintended flow of soil nutrients into waterways. Nutrient overloading often leads to water eutrophication. The study was supported by the Monsanto Company. The 54-page draft paper can be downloaded at the link below.

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While media attention during the June 2003 international agriculture conference focused on the issue of genetically modified crops, this article says that ministers and other invited delegates were more interested in hearing about water-saving and water-storing technologies. According to the article, some African and Asian officials said they wanted to learn more information about drip irrigation, water tanks, and processes for wastewater recycling. In summarizing the event, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman identified water as one of four themes that emerged. She also pointed out the need for: 1) applying existing research in poor areas of developing countries; 2) revitalizing research into staple crops of developing countries; and 3) encouraging governments, universities, and businesses to collaborate more closely. The article notes that Veneman did not cite a follow-up agenda, but did emphasize her hope that regional meetings would address the technologies needed in given areas of the world. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Ministerial Conference and Expo on Agricultural Science and Technology was held in Sacramento, California, on June 23-25, 2003. [The Sacramento Bee published a compendium of articles covering various aspects of the conference.]

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This study reports that genetically modified (GM) sweet potatoes, maize, and cotton are "generally inappropriate" methods for addressing poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. Study author Aaron deGrassi evaluated the "appropriateness" of each crop using criteria that are "widely accepted" in the field of crop breeding. Among his results, deGrassi found that the use of virus-resistant sweet potatoes in Kenya has not been "demand driven, site specific, poverty focused, cost effective, [nor] institutionally sustainable." However, deGrassi did find that the "environmental sustainability" of the potatoes is "ambiguous." While he explains the outcomes, deGrassi stresses that the maximum potential crop yield gains from either conventional or agro-ecological systems are significantly higher than those projected for the use of GM crops in Africa. deGrassi also emphasizes that the availability of improved crop varieties in Africa would have relatively little impact on the factors that cause poverty, such as HIV/AIDS, political corruption, and poor instrastructure. In addition, deGrassi asserts that multinational companies are developing new strategies for influencing the acceptance of GM crops in Africa. deGrassi states: "[B]iotechnology firms have been eager to use philanthropic African projects for public relations purposes. Such public legitimacy may be needed by companies in their attempts to reduce trade restrictions, biosafety controls, and monopoly regulations." The 92-page study can be downloaded from the link below.

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The government of Zimbabwe has ordered the World Food Program (WFP) to destroy several tons of genetically modified (GM) maize by-product. The by-product, called "screenings," was being stored at a mill in Zimbabwe owned by National Food Limited (NFL). Responding to the government's request, WFP arranged for about 3,000 tons of the GM maize screenings to be transported and dumped into unused mine shafts. The article reports that local cattle farmers disapproved of the government order, arguing that the screenings could have been used as feed for their livestock. Furthermore, the farmers say that the price of stock feed has recently increased by as much as 40 percent, making it more difficult to afford. A spokesman for NFL hypothesized that the government was working to protect the value of its cattle. He said that cattle fed on GM maize by-products "may not be as attractive for export." Meanwhile, government official Obert Mpofu asserted that GM maize by-products were not safe for the cattle health. Information can be viewed online at the link below.

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U.S. President George Bush has described his administration's plan for utilizing the U.S.'s diplomatic influence to promote peace and security in Africa. During a June 26 address to the U.S.-Africa Business Summit held in Washington DC, Bush called for leadership changes in Liberia and Zimbabwe. He also expressed American support for efforts toward peace in Congo and Sudan, two countries that have been unstable due to civil war. In addressing the issue of hunger in Africa, Bush said that proposed U.S. initiatives would "help African countries to use new high-yield bio-tech crops and unleash the power of markets to dramatically increase agricultural productivity." In this context, he reiterated his assertion that the European Union (EU)'s policies toward genetically modified (GM) crops are causing African nations to avoid investment into ag biotech. He indirectly called for an end to the EU's de facto moratorium on approvals of agricultural biotechnology products. A transcript of Bush's remarks can be viewed online at the link below.

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European Union (EU) member states and the European Parliament reached a compromise on June 26 over pending legislation on traceability and labeling regulations for genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Ministers of EU member states have agreed to an amendment, which gives each national government the right to compensate non-GMO farmers in the case of the adventitious presence of GMOs. In return, the European Parliament has dropped its call for a number of strict anti-GMO amendments. In one amendment, Parliament had called for any product with an unintended GMO content of 0.5 percent or above to be labeled. However, in their compromise, they agreed to let stand the current threshold of 0.9 percent. The compromise agreement will be voted on July 3 by the European General Assembly. According to the article, the European Commission hopes that the agreement will lead to a lifting of the EU's de facto moratorium on GMOs. France, Denmark, Luxembourg, Italy, and Greece have refused to consider ending the moratorium until new traceability and labeling regulations were approved. The article says that even if the current moratorium is lifted, the U.S. may not withdraw its World Trade Organization (WTO) case against the EU. In addition to the moratorium, the article states that the U.S. may object to the new traceability and labeling laws, which would require U.S. farmers to separate GMO crops from non-GMO crops if they intend to export to the EU.

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The U.S. government has suspended its plans to continue negotiations with the government of Egypt toward the develop of a bilateral free trade agreement. The article reports that the U.S. announcement is a result of Egypt's decision to withdraw its support for the U.S.-led case at the World Trade Organization against the European Union (EU)'s de facto moratorium on approvals of new agricultural biotechnology products. Egypt was the only African nation to join the U.S.-led case, but it withdrew its support in May 2003. An Egyptian official said his government's decision to support the U.S. was opposed by many members of Egypt's parliament and businesses with close ties to EU member states. The official stated, "The way [the U.S. case] was announced was like a war with the EU, and we cannot go to war with the EU...It is 40 percent of our trade." [A related article (Washington Times, June 28) quotes Egyptian foreign trade minister Youssef Boutros-Ghali, who clarified, "There is no difference between the two positions [of the U.S. and Egypt]. There may be a difference in approach, but there is no difference in our positions." The article also notes that the U.S.'s recent decision to suspend trade negotiations with Egypt "has not been explicitly linked to the biotech issue."]

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Monsanto Canada has said that it will not withdraw its application for an environmental safety assessment of its herbicide-tolerant wheat variety, despite a request from the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) that it do so. In an open letter to CWB, Monsanto said that continuation of its efforts to receive regulatory approval for field trials of GM wheat in Canada were "responsible and appropriate." The company said that initial research results demonstrate that there are benefits associated with its Roundup Ready (RR) wheat. According to the article, Monsanto filed an application for an assessment with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. In May 2003, the CWB asked Monsanto to withdraw that application, arguing that that the release of RR wheat would lead to "significant and predictable economic harm" for Canadian farmers. On June 25, CWB president Adrian Measner suggested that the organization might pursue legal efforts in order to prevent Monsanto from introducing GM wheat into the Canadian market. Monsanto has promised that it will not commercialize RR wheat until consumer markets, particularly the EU, are more accepting of the product.

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