This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS ABUJA 002758 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
WHITE HOUSE PASS TO USTR 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON ETRD NI WTO USTR
SUBJECT:  NIGERIA ON TRIPS, AGRICULTURE AND SERVICES 
 
 
REF: STATE 178945 
 
 
¶1. EconOff delivered reftel information on 25 October to Mr. 
Y.T. Agah, Assistant Director responsible for Multilateral 
Affairs at the Federal Ministry of Commerce.  Agah raised 
concern over geographical indication (GI) protections for 
indigenous plants, especially those with medicinal value, and 
the use of seeds from patented bio-engineered plants. 
 
 
¶2. The problem with GI protection, Agah argued, was that 
currently any person could reengineer plants deriving from a 
limited geographical area, patent the results and be the sole 
beneficiaries of that plant's benefits.  This system, he 
averred, does not necessarily benefit the geographic zone 
where the product originated. 
 
 
¶3. Regarding the use of seeds from bio-engineered crops, Agah 
commented that the proposed regime, unlike the previous WIPO 
regime, was incompatible between the needs of the patent 
holder and the local community.  Prohibiting the use of 
secondary seeds for subsistence farmers, who are not 
commercial users or market competitors, would disadvantage 
developing countries' food security.  Agah mentioned there 
was OAU model legislation on breeders and farmers rights to 
address developing country concerns on this issue. 
 
 
¶4. EconOff asked whether Nigeria had completed its review for 
the upcoming WTO round in Doha.  Agah replied in the 
negative, but commented that Nigeria would support removal of 
subsidies and other protections on agriculture and would like 
to see progressive liberalization of services, particularly 
those Nigeria scheduled, such as banking, insurance, tourism, 
transport, and communications.  The GON might decide to add 
professional services to its schedule of services.  Nigeria 
would also press for progress on natural persons, which is 
necessary to maintain balance within the services agreement, 
Agah said. 
Andrews