VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLM #0150/01 0260253
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 260253Z JAN 06
FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2447
INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 9218
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 5765
RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 8880
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 3799

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000150 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAGR ECON ETRD TBIO CE
SUBJECT: FY06 BIOTECHNOLOGY OUTREACH FUNDING - SRI LANKA 
 
 
EB/TPP/ABT/BTT FOR TOM LERSTEN AND MATT KOCH 
 
REF: 2005 STATE 233448 
 
Post appreciates the opportunity to request biotechnology 
outreach programs for Sri Lanka.  The country has already 
drafted a biosafety framework in keeping with the articles of 
the Cartegena protocol, to which Sri Lanka is a signatory. 
 
Following are the biotech outreach proposals for Sri Lanka: 
 
¶1. Biotechnology study tour to the US 
 
Sri Lanka is in a decisive position with respect to biotechnology. 
The country has in place a draft framework to regulate the import 
of GM foods and utilization of biotechnology in domestic 
agriculture.  Some contents of the framework are not consistent 
with a science-based approach to biotechnology. Conversely, the 
Ministry of Agriculture has identified biotechnology as a tool 
to improve the domestic agriculture sector in terms of increasing 
productivity and farmer incomes, reducing insecticide usage, 
increasing yields and contributing to overall food security 
objectives of the country.   We propose that a high-level 
delegation, comprising senior officials from the Ministry of 
Agriculture, Environment and Health, including the Minister 
of Agriculture Development be sent on a study tour to the US. 
The objectives of this tour are two-fold: 
 
- To inform and educate government officials responsible for 
food safety the need to adopt a transparent science based 
approach in compiling regulations to deal with GM foods and to 
provide an extensive overview of US systems and procedures in 
place to ensure the safety and quality of US food exports 
including GM foods. 
 
- To present first hand knowledge of biotechnology crops in the 
field, success of agricultural biotechnology in the U.S. and its 
applicability to local agriculture/livestock sector, and learn 
how technologies are transferred from research 
organizations/universities to farmers and private sector. 
 
This Biotech study tour will also give the senior delegation an 
opportunity to interact with the U.S. policy makers and regulators 
at USDA, FDA, EPA, and U.S. State Department in Washington, DC 
 
The duration of this program is expected to be around 2-3 weeks 
and cost approximately $40,000. 
 
 
¶2. Technical assistance in the drafting/finalization of the Plant 
Breeders Rights Law (Plant Variety Protection Policy/Law): 
 
The government of Sri Lanka is working to develop a new law on 
Plant Breeders Rights Law (Plant Variety Protection Law).  It is 
proposed that a key official involved in compiling this law will 
be trained at the International Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) 
and Technology Transfer Short Course at Michigan State University 
(MSU) to be held in July 2006.  In addition, MSU will facilitate a 
follow-up visit by a Plant Breeders Rights (PBR)/Plant Variety 
Protection (PVP) expert to Sri Lanka to finalize the draft with 
the local committee entrusted with the task.  The new PBR/PVP law 
will help Sri Lankan scientists in accessing new technologies from 
the global community and attract private sector investments in 
biotechnology and plant breeding research and development in Sri 
Lanka and thereby facilitate trade in biotech products. 
 
Proposed Budget for course fee for attending the International 
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Technology Transfer Short 
Course at Michigan State University (MSU), meals, lodging and air 
ticket for one participant from Sri Lanka who is a member of the 
committee that is preparing the new PBR/PVP law:  $7,500 
 
Proposed Budget for the follow-up visit by a PBR/PVP expert to Sri 
Lanka (including air ticket, meals, lodging, local transportation, 
and consulting fee): $10,000 
 
 
¶3. Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum 
 
The Ministry of Agriculture along with collaboration from MSU and 
key stakeholders propose to organize a National Agricultural 
Biotechnology meeting in 2006 to foster networking and information 
exchange among various stakeholders.  This workshop will place 
special emphasis on public-private sector partnerships in 
biotechnology and review progress made on various activities 
recommended in the 2005 Biotechnology Workshop. 
 
Duration of program is approximately four days and cost estimated 
$15,000. 
¶4. Short Term Consultant to deal with National Biosafety Framework 
(NBF) issues 
 
Sri Lanka has a drafted a NBF, a requirement of the Cartegena 
Protocol, to which Sri Lanka is a signatory.  Some regulations 
contained in the NBF are excessive and not in keeping with a 
science based approach to biotechnology.  Hence, trade in US food 
products to Sri Lanka could be affected if the NBF is implemented. 
It is proposed that a suitable expert work with Sri Lankan 
authorities on regulations, public outreach and education to 
ensure that the NBF will not unduly hinder trade, is transparent, 
and consistent with a science based approach to biotechnology. 
 
Duration is approximately 2-3 weeks and cost $15,000 (including 
air ticket, lodging, meals, transportation) 
 
 
LUNSTEAD