Proposal Agriculture and Environment Conference Zamorano May 2012 WB

International Conference on Agriculture and Environment 1

International Conference on Agriculture and Environment

Producing biomass and economic growth while caring for our

environment: A shared vision for the future

Ministerial Conference and Regulation Workshop on Biosafety for Central America and Dominican Republic

At Zamorano University, Honduras, May 9–12, 2012

Summary The conference and workshop will foster a dialog for a shared vision in participating countries to implement the necessary policy changes towards agricultural, food/fiber, and energy production systems that successfully meets current and future expectations of producing biomass and creating economic growth, while caring for the environment. Specifically, this event aims to prepare Central American delegations for the MOP6 (Meeting of the Parties) of the Cartagena Protocol (1–5 October 2012, India) and COP11 of the Convention of Biological Diversity (8–19 October 2012, India), as well as the Earth Summit, Rio+20 (20–22 June 2012, Brazil). The event could have a significant impact on the global discussion on agriculture and the environment, including biotechnology and is part of a series of workshops being implemented in Asia and Africa by different agencies including USDA, ISAAA, IFPRI-PBS and PRRI.

Institutional Organizers:

Zamorano University, Honduras

IICA – Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture

Technical Committee: María Mercedes Roca, Ph.D. – (Chair), Associate Professor of Biotechnology, Zamorano University, member of CNBB and PRRI ([email protected])

José Falck-Zepeda, Ph.D. – Leader of Policy Team, Program for Biosafety Systems, International Food Policy Research Institute and member of PRRI ([email protected]).

Pedro J. Rocha, Ph.D. – Coordinator of Area of Biotechnology and Biosafety, IICA Head Quarters ([email protected])

Supporting Institutions: SAG – Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock,

Honduras SERNA – Ministry of Environment and Natural

Resources, Honduras USDA – Unites State Department of Agriculture IFPRI – International Food Policy Research

Institute/ Program for Biosafety Systems CNBB – National Biotechnology and Biosafety

Committee – Honduras IRBIO – Regional Institute for Biodiversity (Central

America), Central American Commission for Environment and Development

ISAAA – International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications

PIPRA – Public Intellectual Property Resource for Agriculture, University of California Davis.

PRRI – Public Research and Regulation Initiative, Brussels

CIAT-LAC Biosafety Project – International Center for Tropical Agriculture – Colombia

Vers 18feb12 WB

mailto:[email protected]




Background and Justification The proposed events fulfill national and regional needs identified in several strategic plans. In particular, the need for this type of capacity- and consensus-building is identified in the Convention for Biological Diversity, and the Cartagena Protocol for Biosafety of Biotechnology. At a regional level, the event will satisfy needs identified in the 2010 Central American Environmental Plan (PARCA). Latin America is at the crossroads where agricultural and food/fiber/energy systems converge with poverty, food insecurity and mega bio-diversity. The region as a whole faces significant challenges due to multiple food and energy supply and demand pressures. The agricultural challenge is to produce 80% more food and to preserve ecological habitats by limiting their conversion to arable land where productivity gains must be made while preserving tropical forests and other ecological assets. It is unrealistic to address global food security and nourishment without considering all modern tools for crop improvement, including biotechnology. Decision makers often face conflicting views on policy issues such as the precautionary approach to environmental protection, accelerated agricultural intensification, or the strengthening of commercial and/or subsistence agriculture through innovative technologies such as traditional and modern biotechnology. One of the most important constraints to the biotechnology sector and its ability to deliver appropriate technologies to farmers while ensuring environmental protection is poorly functioning biosafety systems. In recent years, biosafety systems in Central America—and other Latin American countries— are still under construction, despite the capacity building efforts which have been conducted by different organizations (IICA, LAC-Biosafety Project, etc.). Biosafety systems are mandatory to all countries signatories to the Convention on Biological Diversity and to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, but few in the region are operational. In contrast, many countries which are not parties to the Protocol have a functional biosafety system that contributes to their agricultural development and environmental protection efforts. The need exists for Latin America, and particularly Central America and some Andean countries, to start its own discussions to devise a common platform to advance its own interests in international discussions, while introducing innovative approaches to biotechnology development. Such innovation includes establishment/strengthening of centers of excellence and risk assessment bodies and harmonization and/or integration of biosafety approaches and procedures. The proposed regional meeting, which is part of an international effort with meetings also in Africa and Asia, will serve as the foundation to form a harmonized strategy and develop the process of informing, strengthening, and finding such commonalities within the region resulting from national discussions on agricultural and environmental policies and strategies.


Participant profile and target audiences The conference and the workshop will be oriented to the SICA member countries. The roster of invited participants includes:

Participant Region/Country Participant description

Number of Participants

Conference for Decision Makers (day 1)

SICA member countries Belize, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panamá.

Minister for Agriculture* Minister for Environment* Selected specialists on regulation**

40

Senior regulators Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico

Mr. Martin Lema (Argentina) Dr. Paulo Paes de Andrade (Brazil) Ms. Ana Luisa Diaz (Colombia) Dr. Ariel Alvarez (México)

4

International Speakers Dr. Victor Villalobos, Director General, IICA Dr. Roger Beachy, Washington University, USA Dr. Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, Conservation International, USA Dr. Clive James, Executive Director, ISAAA Dr. Pedro Arraes; President of EMPRABA, Brazil Dr Francisco Aragao, Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, EMBRAPA, Brazil Dr. Carlos Borroto, Center for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Cuba Dr. Wayne Parrot, University of Georgia, USA Dr. José Falck Zepeda, IFPRI-PBS, USA Dr. Chris Wille, Rainforest Alliance

7

International participants Vice – Minister of Environment from Bolivia, members of the AHTEG (AdHoc technical Expert Group) on Risk Assessment of the Cartagena Protocol

5

Other invited participants Representatives from IICA, USDA, CIAT, PIPRA, PRRI, Zamorano University, SAG, SERNA, CNBB, CCAD, diplomatic missions, International Donor Community PIPRA, PRRI

80

Total for day 1 136 * High ranking officials will be in the event for day 1. ** These will be invited to share their experiences with practical biosafety decision making and to lay the foundation for establishing potential south-south collaborations in regulatory and technical capacity building/strengthening.


Technical Agenda and Budget The conference will have one day of conference with attending Ministers, followed by a two day workshop aimed at regulators of each participating delegation. The sessions for the workshop will be conducted by experienced regulators from countries in Latin America with more advanced Biosafety systems (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico). The overall cost of the conference and workshop is estimated at US$100,000. From which, $66,769 will be funded by the agreement USDA/IICA. See Annex 1 for List of Participants; Annex 2 for Budget; Annex 3 for Proposed Program.

Organizing Committee (in addition to the Technical Committee on Page 1):

- Oliver Komar, Ph.D., Director, Regional Institute of Biodiversity for Central America, and Department of Environment and Development, Zamorano University ([email protected]).

- Arie Sanders, M.Sc., Director, Department of Environment and Development, Zamorano University ([email protected]).

- Rogelio Trabanino, M.Sc. Associate Professor of Entomology, Head of the Biological Control Program, Zamorano University and member of CNBB ([email protected]).

- Ricardo Lardizabal, M.Sc. Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture (Honduras) and member of CNBB.

- Irina Pineda, Advisor to the Minister of Environment (Honduras), ([email protected]).

- Carlos Almendares, Ph.D. Head, Seed Certification Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Honduras; Focal Point for the Cartagena Protocol and member of CNBB ([email protected]).

- Gustavo Cárdenas, Ph.D. Representative IICA´s Office in Honduras ([email protected]).

- Bryan Muñoz, M.Sc. Specialist in Biotechnology and Biosafety, IICA Head Quarters ([email protected]).









Annex 1. Proposed program

Agriculture and Environment Producing biomass and economic growth while caring for our environment: A shared vision

for the future

DAY 1, May 9, 2012: Ministerial Conference

7:30 – 8:30AM Registration

8:30 – 8:45AM

Welcome

Dr. Roberto Cuevas García, Rector, Zamorano

8:45 – 9:45AM

Official Opening

Honorable President of the Republic of Honduras, Porfirio Lobo Sosa

Dr. Victor Villalobos, Director General (IICA)

9:45 – 10:15AM Break and Photo

10:15 – 10:30AM

Sustainability and the new agricultural production paradigm: Constraints, gaps and opportunities for Central and Latin America”

Mr. Jacobo Regalado. Secretario de Estado en el Despacho de Agricultura y Ganadería, (Honduras)

10:30 – 10:45AM

Protecting the Environment and Sustainable Agriculture in the Central American context

Dr. Rigoberto Cuellar. Secretario de Estado en el Despacho de Recursos Naturales y Medio Ambiente (Honduras)

10:45 – 11:25AM

Topics:

Harnessing Technological Advances in Agriculture: R&D Lessons for Latin America

Experiences from the public R&D sector developing products for the South

Dr. Roger Beachy, Washington University, St. Louis (USA)

11:25AM – 12:05PM

Topics:

“A shared vision in Agriculture and Environment”

Convention of Biological Diversity: Points of convergence with agriculture

Dr. Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, Conservation International (USA)

12:05 – 12:30PM Q&A

12:30 – 14:00PM Lunch


14:00 – 15:30PM

Discussion Panel I : Commercial application of GM crops Experiences of countries with practical biosafety regulatory experience (14:00-15:20)

Honduras: (GM corn)

Mexico (GM corn)

Cuba: (GM corn)

USA : (GM soy & cotton)

Discussion session

Moderator Dr. María Mercedes Roca, Zamorano, Honduras.

Dr. Carlos Almendares

Dr. Ariel Alvarez

Dr. Carlos Borroto

Dr. Wayne Parrot

15:30 – 16:00PM Break

16:00 – 17:00PM (16:00 – 16:20PM) (16:20 – 16:40PM) (16:40 – 17:00PM)

Discussion panel II: Regulatory Systems

Convention of Biological Diversity: Points of convergence with agriculture and environment

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety: Points of convergence with agriculture and environment.

Discussion session

Dr. Oliver Komar, Zamorano, (Honduras)

Dr. José Falck-Zepeda, IFPRI-PBS (USA)

17:00 – 17:40PM

The potential for South-South collaborations in

Biotechnology: what do we need to make this

happen.

Dr. Pedro Antonio Arraes, Director EMBRAPA (Brazil)

17:40 – 18:00PM

Questions for panelists and public discussion

18:00 – 20:00PM Dinner at Zamorano


DAY 2, May 10, 2012: Regulation Workshop

8:00 – 8:10AM

Welcome and Introduction

Dr. Pedro Rocha, IICA (Costa Rica)

8:10 – 9:10AM

Key-note address:

The potential of biotechnology to strengthen sustainable agriculture

Dr. Clive James, ISAAA (USA)

9:10 – 10:15AM

Experiences of countries:

Brazil (GM bean & sugarcane)

Argentina (GM soybean & cotton)

Costa Rica ( GM pineapple & banana)

Dr. Francisco Aragao (Brazil) Dr. Maritn Lema (Argentina) Dr. Alex May (Costa Rica)

10:00 – 10:40AM Break

10:40 – 11:20AM

Key-note address:

History of the CBD and Topics on the agenda of Rio+20

Dr. Chris Wille, Sustainable Agriculture Program. Rainforest Alliance. (USA)

11:20-11:40AM

Key issues for discussion/negotiations in COP 11. India

Ms. Margarita Salazar, CCAD (Central American Commission of Environment and Development, El Salvador).

11:40AM – 12:00PM

Key issues for discussion/negotiations in MOP6

Dr. José Falck-Zepeda, IFPRI-PBS (USA)

12:00 – 13:00PM Lunch

13:00 – 13:15PM Workshop methodology Dr.José Falck-Zepeda, IFPRI-PBS

13:15 – 16:00PM

Discussion groups and plenary

Agricultural policy and environmental

sustainability

Strategies for collaboration in

International Fora

Research role in food security and

sustainability

Moderator: Dr. Jose Falck-Zepeda

15:45 – 16:00PM Break

16:15 – 17:30PM

Discussion Panel III: Interpretation and implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Dr. Martin Lema (Argentina)

Dr. Paulo Paez (Brazil)

Dr. Ana Luisa Diaz (Colombia)

Dr. Carlos Almendares (Honduras)

Dr. Ariel Alvarez (Mexico)

Dr. Jose Falck (USA)

17:30PM End of session


DAY 3, May 11, 2012: Regulation Workshop

8:00 – 9:00AM

Article 15 of the CPB : Risk Assessment General introduction to Risk Assessment

Risk Analysis

Risk Management

Risk Communication

The AHTEG and options of Risk Assessment Guides

Options for national implementation

Dr. Paulo Paes (Brazil)

Dr. María Mercedes Roca, (Honduras)

9:00 – 10:00AM

Article 26 of the CPB: Socio-economic considerations General Introduction to socio-economic considerations

Assessment of socio-economic impacts Options for implementation

Dr. José Falck-Zepeda (USA)

Dr. Gerardo Gallego (Colombia)

10:00 – 10:30PM Break

10:30AM – 11:15PM

Article 27 of the CBP: Liability and Redress. General introduction to liability

Nagoya Supplementary Protocol

Implications for national implementation

Complementary instruments

Dr. Martín Lema (Argentina)

Dr. Ariel Alvarez (Mexico)

11:15 – 12:00PM Q&A

12:00 – 13:30PM Closing Ceremony & Lunch

13:30 – 15:30PM Field trip in Zamorano campus to visit GM maize plots

15:30 – 16:00PM Break

16:00 – 17:00PM Visit to 3 bioscience labs in Zamorano

17:00 – 17:30PM Next steps – Closure of Regulation Workshop

* DAY 4: An additional half day session on Saturday march 12, will be planned for senior regulators, international scientist and CNBB members for strategic planning of next steps.

Proposal Agriculture and Environment Conference Zamorano May 2012 WB

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