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

310908Z Jan 06

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000131 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
USDA FAS WASHDC FOR CMP/OA BIOTECH GROUP 
FAA/AREA DIRECTOR/RANDY HAGER 
ITP/THOMAS POMEROY 
EB/TPP/ABT/BTT - TOM LERSTEN AND MATT KOCH 
 
FROM OFFICE OF AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS, LAGOS 
 
TOFAS 018 
 
E.O. 12958, N/A 
TAGS: EAGR ECON ETRD TBIO
SUBJECT: NIGERIA OUTREACH AGRICULTURAL BIOTECH 
PROPOSAL 
 
REF: STATE 00233448 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Summary: The government of Nigeria 
appears to support the development and use of 
agricultural biotechnology. In meetings such as 
the June 2005 Science and Technology Forum in 
Burkina Faso, Nigerian representatives spoke 
positively about agricultural biotechnology. 
Despite this receptiveness, the GON has made 
little progress in advancing Agricultural 
biotechnology over the last five years. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) In 2000, the Government of Nigeria (GON) 
established a 15-member committee to oversee the 
implementation of its national biotechnology 
program. National biosafety legislation has been 
drafted but it has yet to be circulated for 
national debate and passage by the national 
assembly.  Under biotechnology guidelines approved 
in 2001, the National Biosafety Committee (NBC) 
headed by the Ministry of Environment is 
responsible for developing national policy on 
biotechnology. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) The USAID supported Nigeria Agriculture 
Biotechnology Project implemented by the 
International Institute for Tropical Agriculture 
(IITA) submitted an application for a field trial 
of transgenic, virus resistant cassava (obtained 
from Danforth Center) to the National Biosafety 
Committee (NBC) in April 2004. The NBC met twice 
on the request but has not granted approval. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) The Nigeria Agriculture and 
Biotechnology Project of USAID, has laid a good 
foundation for the acceptance and development of 
agricultural biotechnology in the country but more 
efforts are needed to support on-going activities. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) The National Biotechnology Development 
Agency (NABDA)in the Ministry of Science and 
Technology is responsible for coordinating and 
promoting activities in biotechnology development 
in Nigeria.  For its part, the agency recognizes 
the use of agricultural biotechnology can 
contribute to healthy economic development in 
Nigeria, but the agency lacks the necessary 
resources to mount a serious campaign on the 
benefits of agricultural biotechnology. 
 
-------------------------------- 
Proposal I: Working with the GON 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶6.  (SBU) To help GON technology efforts, The 
Office of Agricultural Affairs proposes to 
organize a team of leading GON policy makers, 
regulators and legislators to visit the United 
States to get first-hand information about the 
role of agricultural biotechnology has played in 
the U.S. 3-4 members from the Nigerian House of 
Representatives and Senate Agriculture Committees, 
3-4 officials from the Ministries of Environment, 
Agriculture and Science and Technology would be 
invited to participate in the program. This 
activity would help improve the knowledge and 
understanding of important decision makers about 
the benefits of agricultural biotechnology. This 
would also help lay the groundwork for well- 
informed debate in the legislative chambers when 
the national biosafety law is formally introduced. 
 
¶7.  (SBU) Implementation of this activity would 
cost approximately $35,000 including airfare, per 
diem and lodging for a team of 5-6 individuals. 
 
¶8.  (SBU) Media coverage on agricultural 
biotechnology in the media is limited and often 
inaccurate in Nigeria. In recent weeks, two 
national newspapers published articles that cast 
doubt on the benefits of agricultural 
biotechnology.  Increasing the knowledge of 
Nigerian journalists about the benefits of 
agricultural biotechnology would be helpful in 
countering such misconceptions. 
 
------------------------------------ 
Proposal II: Public Affairs Strategy 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶9.  (SBU) The Office of Agricultural Affairs 
proposes to organize a team of leading Nigerian 
journalists to visit the United States to improve 
their understanding of agricultural biotechnology 
and to see the role biotechnology has played in 
American agricultural development. Nigerian 
journalists would be given an opportunity to visit 
consumer organizations, private sector companies 
and regulatory agencies. Journalists that 
participate in the program would be expected to 
write about their U.S. experiences in their 
respective newspapers after the visit.  The Office 
of Agricultural Affairs will work with the Public 
Affairs Section of the Embassy to identify the 
candidates for this program. 
 
¶10.  (SBU) This activity would cost approximately 
$35,000 including airfare, hotel and meal per diem 
for four-five prominent journalists for a weeklong 
visit to the United States. 
 
¶11.  (SBU) Both activities would be implemented in 
cooperation with the International Institute for 
Tropical Agriculture, which is engaged in the 
development and the acceptance of agricultural 
biotechnology in Nigeria. 
 
Contact Person: Ali Abdi, Agricultural Attache 
U.S. Consulate General Lagos. Tel: 2613926 
Fax: 2629835 
 
 
Browne