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Reference ID	Created	Released	Classification	Origin
02ROME5323	2002-10-31 07:24	2011-08-30 01:44	UNCLASSIFIED	Embassy Rome

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

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 ROME 005323 
 
SIPDIS 
 
USDA FOR ARS:PETER BRETTING, JUNE BLALOCK, FAS:LYNNE 
REICH, DICK HUGHES, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY: DAVID 
HEGWOOD 
STATE FOR OES/ENV RICK DRISCOLL, L/OES K. YOUEL PAGE AND 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  05323  01 OF 05  310829Z 
IO/EDA ROSE BERSTEIN SETH WINNICK AND EB/TPP KLEMM AND 
MALIC 
IO/S LAUREN FLEJZOR, GEORGE ABRAHAMS 
USTR DARCI VETTER, MARK SLOAN 
USAID FOR ROB BERTRAM AND JOSETTE LEWIS 
USPTO FOR MARY CRITHARIS,LINDA LOURIE 
NSC JOHN CLOUD,KEN PEEL 
GENEVA ALSO FOR USTR 
NAIROBI FOR UNEP 
 
FROM FODAG 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: AORC EAGR EAGR EAGR EAGR EAGR SENV FAO SENV AORC FAO SENV AORC FAO SENV AORC FAO SENV AORC FAO
SUBJECT:  REPORT ON FAO COMMISSION ON GENETIC RESOURCES 
FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 
 
REF:  ROME 3174 
 
¶1. (U) SUMMARY: THE NINTH SESSION OF THE UN FOOD AND 
AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION (FAO) COMMISSION ON GENETIC 
RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE MET OCTOBER 14-19, 
CHAIRED BY ROB BERTRAM OF THE U.S. AGENCY FOR 
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.  THE COMMISSION ENDORSED A 
DRAFT MATERIAL TRANSFER AGREEMENT (MTA) FOR THE PLANT 
GERMPLASM HELD IN TRUST BY THE INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL 
RESEARCH CENTERS.  THE MTA CONTAINS LANGUAGE ON VOLUNTARY 
BENEFIT SHARING, BUT (DESPITE G-77 EFFORTS) NO LANGUAGE 
ON THE NEED FOR SIGNATURES OR TRACKING.  ON 
BIOTECHNOLOGY, THE COMMISSION AGREED THAT THE FAO WOULD 
STUDY WHERE THE ISSUES IN THE ORIGINAL CODE OF CONDUCT ON 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  05323  01 OF 05  310829Z 
BIOTECHNOLOGY HAVE BEEN OVERTAKEN OR COVERED BY OTHER 
BODIES. THE FAO REPORT ON GENETIC END USE RESTRICTION 
TECHNOLOGY (GURTS) WILL BE SENT TO THE CONFERENCE OF THE 
PARTIES OF THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY FOR 
INFORMATION WITH U.S. COMMENTS APPENDED.  A NUMBER OF 
COUNTRIES EXPRESSED DEEP CONCERN ABOUT THE IMPACT ON 
DEVELOPING COUNTRY CROP BIODIVERSITY AS A RESULT OF THE 
INADVERTENT PLANTING OF BIOTECH ENGINEERED SEEDS INTENDED 
AS FOOD AID.  THE FAO SECRETARIAT STATED THAT IT WAS 
"ADVISING COUNTRIES TO MILL FOOD AID RECEIVED IN SEED 
FORM ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND NUTRITIONAL GROUNDS."  THE 
COMMISSION CONTINUES TO BE A HIGHLY POLITICIZED BODY ON 
WHICH THE U.S. NEEDS TO KEEP CLOSE TABS, FROM A TECHNICAL 
AS WELL AS POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2.  (U) THE FAO COMMISSION ON GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD 
AND AGRICULTURE (CGRFA) MET OCTOBER 14-19, 2002 IN ROME. 
U.S. DELEGATE ROB BERTRAM, CHIEF, POLICY AND MULTILATERAL 
PROGRAMS DIVISION, OFFICE OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD 
SECURITY, U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 
CHAIRED THE SESSION.  THE SESSION MET DIRECTLY AFTER THE 
FIRST SESSION OF INTERIM COMMITTEE FOR THE TREATY ON 
GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE (SEPTEL).  THE 
U.S. DELEGATION INCLUDED WANDA COLLINS (USDA/ARS), 
HARVEY BLACKBURN (USDA/ARS) AND LUCY TAMLYN (FODAG). 
 
ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES 
------------------------ 
 
¶3.  (U) THE COMMISSION EMPHASIZED THE NEED TO COMPLETE 
THE FIRST REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE WORLD'S ANIMAL 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  05323  01 OF 05  310829Z 
GENETIC RESOURCES BY 2006 (AN ACTIVITY WHICH HAS BEEN 
HELD UP BY LACK OF RESOURCES.)  CALLS FOR THE COMMISSION 
TO TAKE UP A NEW INTERNATIONAL BINDING TREATY ON ANIMAL 
GENETIC RESOURCES DID NOT REPRESENT A BROAD CONSENSUS AND 
WERE DEFLECTED.  THE REPORT STATES THAT THE ISSUE IS LEFT 
OPEN FOR "FUTURE SESSIONS OF THE COMMISSION."  THE U.S. 
WAS RE-ELECTED TO THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL TECHNICAL WORKING 
GROUP ON ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES. 
 
PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶4.  (U)  COMMISSION MEMBERS PROPOSED WAYS TO IMPROVE 
IMPLEMENTING AND MONITORING OF THE GLOBAL PLAN OF ACTION 
FOR THE CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE UTILIZATION OF PLANT 
GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, BUT AGREED 
THAT IT WAS PREMATURE TO REVISE THE PLAN.  U.S. AND 
CANADA QUESTIONED THE NEED TO INCLUDE BIOSAFETY AND 
BIOSECURITY AS A PRIORITY IN THE SECOND "STATE OF THE 
WORLD'S PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE" 
REPORT, PARTICULARLY IN VIEW OF THE POTENTIAL OVERLAP 
WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.  OTHER DELEGATES, SUCH AS CUBA 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTO1523 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  05323  02 OF 05  310829Z 
ACTION OES-01 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AF-00    AID-00   CIAE-00  INL-00   USNW-00 
      DOEE-00  WHA-00   SRPP-00  EB-00    EUR-00   UTED-00  FDRE-01 
      TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00    AC-01    NSAE-00  NSCE-00  OIC-02 
      CAEX-01  PER-00   ACE-00   SS-00    STR-00   TEST-00  EPAE-00 
      ECA-00   SAS-00     /006W 
                  ------------------012ED3  310829Z /38 
R 310724Z OCT 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 6670 
INFO USDA FAS WASHDC 2378 
USMISSION GENEVA 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 
AMEMBASSY HARARE 
AMEMBASSY MAPUTO 
AMEMBASSY LUSAKA 
USEU BRUSSELS 2900 
AMEMBASSY MEXICO 
AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 05 ROME 005323 
 
SIPDIS 
 
USDA FOR ARS:PETER BRETTING, JUNE BLALOCK, FAS:LYNNE 
REICH, DICK HUGHES, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY: DAVID 
HEGWOOD 
STATE FOR OES/ENV RICK DRISCOLL, L/OES K. YOUEL PAGE AND 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  05323  02 OF 05  310829Z 
IO/EDA ROSE BERSTEIN SETH WINNICK AND EB/TPP KLEMM AND 
MALIC 
IO/S LAUREN FLEJZOR, GEORGE ABRAHAMS 
USTR DARCI VETTER, MARK SLOAN 
USAID FOR ROB BERTRAM AND JOSETTE LEWIS 
USPTO FOR MARY CRITHARIS,LINDA LOURIE 
NSC JOHN CLOUD,KEN PEEL 
GENEVA ALSO FOR USTR 
NAIROBI FOR UNEP 
 
FROM FODAG 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: AORC EAGR EAGR EAGR EAGR EAGR SENV FAO SENV AORC FAO SENV AORC FAO SENV AORC FAO SENV AORC FAO
SUBJECT:  REPORT ON FAO COMMISSION ON GENETIC RESOURCES 
FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 
 
AND ANGOLA, STRONGLY SUPPORTED THE INCLUSION OF 
BIOSAFETY, NOTING AS AN EXAMPLE THE ALLEGED PROBLEMS 
CAUSED BY THE INTRODUCTION OF BIOTECH ENGINEERED FOOD AID 
(IN SEED FORM) AND ITS POSSIBLE IMPACT ON BIODIVERSITY. 
 
¶5.  (U) AN AMBITIOUS FAO PROGRAM FOR FUNDING THE GLOBAL 
PLAN OF ACTION, ENTITLED THE "FACILITATING MECHANISM" 
RECEIVED A TEPID WELCOME.  DONORS (PARTICULARLY EU 
COUNTRIES) FELT THAT THE FAO HAD MOVED TOO FAST TO CREATE 
A FUND-RAISING MECHANISM WITHOUT CONSULTING ADEQUATELY 
WITH POTENTIAL DONORS ON THE LIKELIHOOD OF RAISING SUCH 
FUNDS.  EU MEMBERS ALSO NOTED WITH CONCERN THE 
POSSIBILITY OF OVERLAP WITH THE FUNDING STRATEGY OF THE 
INTERNATIONAL TREATY. 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  05323  02 OF 05  310829Z 
 
EX SITU COLLECTIONS OF PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES HELD BY 
THE INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTERS (IARCS) 
OF THE CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL 
RESEARCH (CGIAR) AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL COLLECTIONS 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
¶6. (U) DISCUSSION UNDER THE AGENDA ITEM ON EX SITU 
COLLECTIONS INCLUDED ALLEGATIONS OF INAPPROPRIATE 
GRANTING OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS ON MATERIALS 
ORIGINATING FROM THE IARCS.  G-77 COUNTRIES MOST 
FREQUENTLY CITED THE "ENOLA BEAN" PATENT CASE IN THIS 
REGARD.  THE CGIAR REPRESENTATIVE NOTED 1) THE MATERIAL 
HAD NOT ORIGINATED IN THE IARC'S "IN-TRUST" COLLECTIONS 
AND THAT 2) THE LEGAL CASE BROUGHT BY IARC CIAT 
(COLOMBIA) "MAY BE EFFECTIVE IN BLOCKING THE PATENT." 
CITING RECENT REPORTS ON MEXICAN MAIZE, A NUMBER OF 
COUNTRIES EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF 
"GENE FLOW" FROM TRANSGENIC CROPS AND REQUESTED THE IARCS 
TO TAKE STRONGER MEASURES TO PROTECT THEIR COLLECTIONS 
FROM "CONTAMINATION." (COMMENT:  THE FAO DOCUMENT ON THIS 
MATTER STATED THAT IARC CIMMYT (MEXICO) HAD CONFIRMED 
THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF TRANSGENES IN THE CIMMYT 
MAIZE COLLECTION AND THAT STATEMENTS TO THE CONTRARY WERE 
"NOT BASED ON RELIABLE FACTS." END COMMENT.) 
 
RENEWAL OF THE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE IARCS AND THE FAO 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
 
¶7.  (U)  THE RENEWAL OF AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE IARCS AND 
THE FAO PLACING COLLECTIONS OF PLANT GERMPLASM UNDER THE 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  05323  02 OF 05  310829Z 
AUSPICES OF THE FAO WAS THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL ITEM OF 
THE COMMISSION SESSION, INVOLVING CLOSE TO THREE FULL 
DAYS OF NEGOTIATIONS.  THE G-77 -- HAVING JUST AGREED IN 
THE INTERIM COMMITTEE TO SET UP AN EXPERT GROUP TO MAKE 
PROPOSALS CONCERNING THE MATERIAL TRANSFER AGREEMENT -- 
PROCEEDED TO ATTEMPT TO PREJUDGE THE OUTCOME OF THE GROUP 
CONCERNING BENEFIT SHARING, THE NEED FOR SIGNATURES ON 
THE MTA AND TRACKING OF MATERIAL RECEIVED FROM THE IARCS. 
THE FINAL OUTCOME DOES INCLUDE BENEFIT SHARING 
(VOLUNTARY) BUT NO MENTION OF SIGNATURES OR TRACKING. 
 
¶8.  (SBU) COMMENT: CANADA (WHICH WAS REPRESENTED IN THE 
NEGOTIATION), SUBSEQUENTLY VOICED CONCERN TO USDEL THAT 
THE BENEFIT SHARING PROVISION COULD BE A POOR PRECEDENT 
FOR THE FUTURE TREATY MTA SINCE IT BROADENED THE BENEFIT 
SHARING TO INCLUDE MORE THAN COMMERCIAL BENEFIT SHARING, 
AND INCLUDED ASPECTS OF BENEFIT SHARING THAT ARE - PER 
THE TREATY - STRICTLY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF STATE 
PARTIES.  HIS CONCERN IS THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF THIS 
BENEFIT SHARING LANGUAGE, (WHICH INCLUDES OPEN-ENDED 
SUGGESTIONS FOR TECH TRANSFER, TRAINING, ETC), COULD 
PLACE THE ONUS ON PRIVATE COMPANIES TO NEGOTIATE THESE 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTO1525 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  05323  03 OF 05  310830Z 
ACTION OES-01 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AF-00    AID-00   CIAE-00  INL-00   USNW-00 
      DOEE-00  WHA-00   SRPP-00  EB-00    EUR-00   UTED-00  FDRE-01 
      TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00    AC-01    NSAE-00  NSCE-00  OIC-02 
      CAEX-01  PER-00   ACE-00   SS-00    STR-00   TEST-00  EPAE-00 
      ECA-00   SAS-00     /006W 
                  ------------------012EE7  310830Z /38 
R 310724Z OCT 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 6671 
INFO USDA FAS WASHDC 2379 
USMISSION GENEVA 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 
AMEMBASSY HARARE 
AMEMBASSY MAPUTO 
AMEMBASSY LUSAKA 
USEU BRUSSELS 2901 
AMEMBASSY MEXICO 
AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 05 ROME 005323 
 
SIPDIS 
 
USDA FOR ARS:PETER BRETTING, JUNE BLALOCK, FAS:LYNNE 
REICH, DICK HUGHES, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY: DAVID 
HEGWOOD 
STATE FOR OES/ENV RICK DRISCOLL, L/OES K. YOUEL PAGE AND 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  05323  03 OF 05  310830Z 
IO/EDA ROSE BERSTEIN SETH WINNICK AND EB/TPP KLEMM AND 
MALIC 
IO/S LAUREN FLEJZOR, GEORGE ABRAHAMS 
USTR DARCI VETTER, MARK SLOAN 
USAID FOR ROB BERTRAM AND JOSETTE LEWIS 
USPTO FOR MARY CRITHARIS,LINDA LOURIE 
NSC JOHN CLOUD,KEN PEEL 
GENEVA ALSO FOR USTR 
NAIROBI FOR UNEP 
 
FROM FODAG 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: AORC EAGR EAGR EAGR EAGR EAGR SENV FAO SENV AORC FAO SENV AORC FAO SENV AORC FAO SENV AORC FAO
SUBJECT:  REPORT ON FAO COMMISSION ON GENETIC RESOURCES 
FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 
 
ISSUES WITH THE PROVIDER OF GERMPLASM, WHEREAS THE GOAL 
OF THE TREATY WAS TO ENSURE THAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR DID 
NOT NEED TO NEGOTIATE ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS FOR 
GERMPLASM (A LA CBD).  ALTHOUGH THE COMMISSION REPORT 
STATES THAT THE AMENDED MTA IS "WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO THE 
DEVELOPMENT OF ANY MTA TO BE ADOPTED BY THE GOVERNING 
BODY OF THE TREATY, THIS POINT NEEDS TO BE BORNE IN MIND 
DURING THE EXPERT GROUP DISCUSSIONS OF THE TREATY MTA. 
END COMMENT. 
 
INTERGOVERNMENTAL TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP ON PLANT 
GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  05323  03 OF 05  310830Z 
¶9. (U) THE U.S. WAS RE-ELECTED TO THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL 
TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP ON PGRFA.  THE GROUP WILL HAVE A 
FULL PLATE OF ISSUES, AS THE COMMISSION ASKED THAT IT 
EXAMINE A NUMBER OF ISSUES, INCLUDING GUIDANCE ON 
PREPARATION FOR THE NEXT REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE 
WORLD'S GENETIC RESOURCES, STRENGTHENING THE GLOBAL PLAN 
OF ACTION, ADVISING THE FACILITATING MECHANISM, AND THE 
POSSIBLE NEED TO UPDATE ELEMENTS OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT 
FOR PLANT GERMPLASM COLLECTING AND TRANSFER. 
 
IN SITU CONSERVATION 
-------------------- 
¶10.  A NUMBER OF MEMBERS EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE 
PROPOSED FAO COLLABORATION ON "GLOBALLY IMPORTANT 
INGENIOUS AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE SYSTEMS" COULD BE AN 
INDIRECT MEANS OF SUPPORTING SUBSIDIES FOR DEVELOPED 
COUNTRY AGRICULTURE AND SUBSIDIES.  THESE CONCERNS ARE 
EXPRESSED IN THE REPORT ALONG WITH A LUKEWARM ENDORSEMENT 
OF THE PROJECT (FUNDED BY GEF, IMPLEMENTED BY UNDP). 
 
FAO POLICIES AND PROGRAMS - THE BIOTECH DEBATE 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶11.  THE U.S. STATEMENT UNDER THE AGENDA ITEM ON FAO 
POLICIES AND PROGRAMS CALLED ATTENTION TO MISTAKES IN THE 
FAO'S GLOSSARY ON BIOTECHNOLOGY AND IDENTIFIED THE FAO'S 
ETHICS PROGRAMS AS A LOW PRIORITY.  USDEL ALSO CALLED 
UPON THE FAO TO SERVE AS A BETTER COMMUNICATOR AND 
EDUCATOR ON BIOTECH ISSUES, AND CITED THE RECENTLY 
RELEASED STATEMENT BY THE DIRECTOR GENERALS OF FAO AND 
WHO AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF WFP CONCERNING BIOTECH 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  05323  03 OF 05  310830Z 
ENGINEERED FOOD AID AS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF LEADING.  USDEL 
STRESSED THE NEED FOR FAO TO PROVIDE "SCIENCE-BASED" 
ADVICE TO GOVERNMENT ON THE USE AND SAFETY OF BIOTECH 
ENGINEERED FOOD. SOME DELEGATES (IRAN, MALAYSIA, AND 
BURKINA FASO) SPOKE CAUTIOUSLY IN FAVOR OF THE FAO TAKING 
A STRONGER ROLE IN ASSISTING DEVELOPING COUNTRIES WITH 
BIOTECHNOLOGY.  (COMMENT: A MEMBER OF THE FAO SECRETARIAT 
APPROACHED USDEL AFTER THE INTERVENTION AND AGREED THAT 
THE GLOSSARY CONTAINED SOME "BIASED" DEFINITIONS AND 
INVITED THE U.S. TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NEXT REVISION OF 
THE GLOSSARY.  END COMMENT). 
 
FAO DEFENDS ADVICE ON MILLING BIOTECH ENGINEERED FOOD AID 
--------------------------------------------- ----------- 
 
¶12.  (U) OTHER COUNTRIES EXPRESSED CONCERN IN RELATION TO 
THE IMPACT ON OF DISTRIBUTION OF "TRANSGENIC" FOOD 
"WITHOUT PRIOR INFORMED CONSENT" AND THE "POSSIBLE 
IMPLICATIONS TO IN SITU PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES." THE FAO 
SECRETARIAT (JIM DARGIE, CHAIR OF THE INTERDEPARTMENTAL 
 
SIPDIS 
WORKING GROUP ON BIOTECHNOLOGY) STATED THAT THE FAO WAS 
"ADVISING COUNTRIES TO MILL FOOD AID" BECAUSE OF 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTQ2176 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  05323  04 OF 05  310830Z 
ACTION OES-01 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AF-00    AID-00   CIAE-00  INL-00   USNW-00 
      DOEE-00  WHA-00   SRPP-00  EB-00    EUR-00   UTED-00  FDRE-01 
      TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00    AC-01    NSAE-00  NSCE-00  OIC-02 
      CAEX-01  PER-00   ACE-00   SS-00    STR-00   TEST-00  EPAE-00 
      ECA-00   SAS-00     /006W 
                  ------------------012EF6  310830Z /38 
R 310724Z OCT 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 6672 
INFO USDA FAS WASHDC 2380 
USMISSION GENEVA 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 
AMEMBASSY HARARE 
AMEMBASSY MAPUTO 
AMEMBASSY LUSAKA 
USEU BRUSSELS 2902 
AMEMBASSY MEXICO 
AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 04 OF 05 ROME 005323 
 
SIPDIS 
 
USDA FOR ARS:PETER BRETTING, JUNE BLALOCK, FAS:LYNNE 
REICH, DICK HUGHES, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY: DAVID 
HEGWOOD 
STATE FOR OES/ENV RICK DRISCOLL, L/OES K. YOUEL PAGE AND 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  05323  04 OF 05  310830Z 
IO/EDA ROSE BERSTEIN SETH WINNICK AND EB/TPP KLEMM AND 
MALIC 
IO/S LAUREN FLEJZOR, GEORGE ABRAHAMS 
USTR DARCI VETTER, MARK SLOAN 
USAID FOR ROB BERTRAM AND JOSETTE LEWIS 
USPTO FOR MARY CRITHARIS,LINDA LOURIE 
NSC JOHN CLOUD,KEN PEEL 
GENEVA ALSO FOR USTR 
NAIROBI FOR UNEP 
 
FROM FODAG 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: AORC EAGR EAGR EAGR EAGR EAGR SENV FAO SENV AORC FAO SENV AORC FAO SENV AORC FAO SENV AORC FAO
SUBJECT:  REPORT ON FAO COMMISSION ON GENETIC RESOURCES 
FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 
 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS AND ALSO FOR THE OPPORTUNITY FOR 
FORTIFICATION.  DARGIE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE WERE 
ADDITIONAL COSTS, BUT MAINTAINED THAT THIS WAS "GOOD 
ADVICE" AND THAT FAO NEEDED TO BE AN "HONEST BROKER."  HE 
NOTED THAT THE FAO ALSO ADVISED RECIPIENTS NOT TO PLANT 
FOOD AID "AS THEY WILL BE DISAPPOINTED IN THE YIELD." 
 
GLOBAL CONSERVATION TRUST 
--------------------------- 
¶13.  (U) UNDER REPORTS FROM OTHER INTERNATIONAL 
ORGANIZATIONS, THE COMMISSION HEARD AN UPDATE ON THE 
GLOBAL CONSERVATION TRUST (INTENDED TO PROVIDE, IN 
PERPETUITY, A FLOW OF FUNDS FOR EX SITU CONSERVATION.)  G- 
77 MISTRUST OF THIS FUNDING MECHANISM AS AN ATTEMPT TO 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  05323  04 OF 05  310830Z 
SUBVERT THE INTERNATIONAL TREATY'S "FUNDING STRATEGY" WAS 
SOMEWHAT ASSUAGED BY ASSURANCES BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE 
INTERNATIONAL PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES INSTITUTE (BASED 
OUTSIDE OF ROME) THAT THE "OVERALL POLICY GUIDANCE TO THE 
TRUST WOULD COME FROM THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE TREATY." 
 
GENETIC END USE TECHNOLOGY AKA "TERMINATOR" 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶14.  (U) THE COMMISSION DISCUSSED THE FAO'S LATEST 
ATTEMPT (THE PREVIOUS ONE HAVING BEEN SENT BACK BY THE 
INTERGOVERNMENTAL TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP ON PLANT 
GENETIC RESOURCES) TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON GENETIC END USE 
TECHNOLOGY (GURTS), FREQUENTLY CALLED "TERMINATOR 
TECHNOLOGY." MOST DEVELOPING COUNTRY COMMISSION MEMBERS 
(AND NORWAY) CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THAT GURTS IS A 
"CONTRADICTION TO THE SPIRIT OF THE INTERNATIONAL 
TREATY."  USDEL STATED THAT THE REPORT WAS UNBALANCED AND 
UNSCIENTIFIC.  THE COMMISSION AGREED TO FORWARD THE 
REPORT FOR INFORMATION TO THE CONFERENCE OF PARTIES OF 
THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY.  THE COMMISSION 
INVITED THE USDEL TO SUBMIT COMMENTS WHICH WILL BE 
APPENDED TO THE REPORT.  THE COMMISSION REPORT ALSO NOTES 
THAT THE TECHNOLOGY IN QUESTION IS CURRENTLY IN RESEARCH 
AND DEVELOPMENT AND IS NOT YET COMMERCIALIZED. 
 
CODES OF CONDUCT ON BIOTECHNOLOGY AND PLANT GERMPLASM 
COLLECTING 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
 
¶15.  (U)  THE COMMISSION AGREED THAT THE CODE ON 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  05323  04 OF 05  310830Z 
COLLECTING AND TRANSFER MIGHT STILL BE USEFUL IN SOME 
CONTEXTS AND REQUESTED THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL TECHNICAL 
WORKING GROUP TO CONSIDER THE CODE AND MAKE 
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COMMISSION'S NEXT SESSION. 
 
¶16.  (U)  CONCERNING THE CODE OF CONDUCT ON 
BIOTECHNOLOGY, THE COMMISSION ENDORSED THE PROPOSAL (PUT 
FORWARD BY THE EUROPEAN REGION) THAT THE FAO WOULD DO A 
STUDY TO IDENTIFY WHAT HAS BEEN DONE IN OTHER FORA, AND 
IDENTIFY WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE, AND WHICH ISSUES WERE 
RELEVANT TO THE COMMISSION.  THE STUDY WILL BE CONSIDERED 
AT THE NEXT COMMISSION SESSION.  THE REPORT MAKES CLEAR 
THAT THE NEXT STEP MIGHT BE A CODE, GUIDELINES, OR OTHER 
COURSES OF ACTION. 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
¶17.  (SBU)  THE COMMISSION IS A LIGHTNING ROD FOR 
POLARIZED VIEWS ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND 
BIOTECHNOLOGY.  NONETHELESS, MANY COMMENTATORS (FROM 
OTHER DELEGATIONS AND THE SECRETARIAT) EXPRESSED THE VIEW 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTQ2177 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  05323  05 OF 05  310830Z 
ACTION OES-01 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AF-00    AID-00   CIAE-00  INL-00   USNW-00 
      DOEE-00  WHA-00   SRPP-00  EB-00    EUR-00   UTED-00  FDRE-01 
      TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00    AC-01    NSAE-00  NSCE-00  OIC-02 
      CAEX-01  PER-00   ACE-00   SS-00    STR-00   TEST-00  EPAE-00 
      ECA-00   SAS-00     /006W 
                  ------------------012F02  310830Z /38 
R 310724Z OCT 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 6673 
INFO USDA FAS WASHDC 2381 
USMISSION GENEVA 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 
AMEMBASSY HARARE 
AMEMBASSY MAPUTO 
AMEMBASSY LUSAKA 
USEU BRUSSELS 2903 
AMEMBASSY MEXICO 
AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 05 OF 05 ROME 005323 
 
SIPDIS 
 
USDA FOR ARS:PETER BRETTING, JUNE BLALOCK, FAS:LYNNE 
REICH, DICK HUGHES, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY: DAVID 
HEGWOOD 
STATE FOR OES/ENV RICK DRISCOLL, L/OES K. YOUEL PAGE AND 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  05323  05 OF 05  310830Z 
IO/EDA ROSE BERSTEIN SETH WINNICK AND EB/TPP KLEMM AND 
MALIC 
IO/S LAUREN FLEJZOR, GEORGE ABRAHAMS 
USTR DARCI VETTER, MARK SLOAN 
USAID FOR ROB BERTRAM AND JOSETTE LEWIS 
USPTO FOR MARY CRITHARIS,LINDA LOURIE 
NSC JOHN CLOUD,KEN PEEL 
GENEVA ALSO FOR USTR 
NAIROBI FOR UNEP 
 
FROM FODAG 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: AORC EAGR EAGR EAGR EAGR EAGR SENV FAO SENV AORC FAO SENV AORC FAO SENV AORC FAO SENV AORC FAO
SUBJECT:  REPORT ON FAO COMMISSION ON GENETIC RESOURCES 
FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 
 
TO USDEL THAT THIS SESSION HAD BEEN ONE OF THE MOST 
AMICABLE IN COMMISSION HISTORY.  THE FACT THAT THE 
INTERNATIONAL TREATY IS BEHIND THE COMMISSION MAY ACCOUNT 
FOR SOME OF THE PROGRESS.  CERTAINLY THE EVEN-HANDED AND 
CONFIDENCE-BUILDING CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE U.S. CHAIR WAS 
WIDELY CREDITED WITH CREATING A FAVORABLE ATMOSPHERE. 
THAT BEING SAID, IT MUST BE RECOGNIZED THAT MUCH OF 
DEBATE IN THE COMMISSION IS ANTITHETICAL TO U.S. (AND 
OTHER DEVELOPED COUNTRIES) INTERESTS IN THE AREA OF 
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND BIOTECHNOLOGY.  HERE, 
MORE THAN IN ANY OTHER BODY, THE FAILURE OF THE FAO TO 
MAINTAIN HIGH SCIENTIFIC STANDARDS IS ON DISPLAY (SEEN, 
FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE SHODDY AND BIASED WORK IN THE GURTS 
REPORT AND IN THE MISTAKE-RIDDEN BIOTECHNOLOGY GLOSSARY.) 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  05323  05 OF 05  310830Z 
AS POLEMICS CAN LEAD TO ACTION (AS THE COMMISSION'S 
RECENTLY COMPLETED TREATY ON GENETIC RESOURCES 
DEMONSTRATES) IT IS A BODY ON WHICH THE U.S. NEEDS TO 
KEEP CLOSE TABS FROM A TECHNICAL AS WELL AS POLITICAL 
PERSPECTIVE.  HALL 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
> 
 2002ROME05323 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

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