VZCZCXYZ0021
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBO #0126/01 0141821
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 141819Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2026
INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE USD FAS WASHINGTON DC
RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC

UNCLAS BOGOTA 000126 
 
SIPDIS 
EEB/TPP/MTAA/ABT FOR MARCELLA SZYMANSKI AND JACK BOBO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: TBIO EAGR ETRD KPAO CO
SUBJECT: BOGOTA PROPOSAL FOR BIOTECH OUTREACH FUNDS 
 
REF: 09 STATE 122732 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY:  Per reftel A, Embassy Bogota requests the Bureau of 
Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs (EEB) fund a 
Spanish-speaking U.S. expert on biotech policy to engage Colombian 
Congressional members and the private sector on the safety of 
biotechnology and its advantages for developing countries like 
Colombia.  Post also suggests a second speaker with technical 
knowledge of tropical agriculture for an academic program.   A 
visit in 2010 by both speakers will accomplish the following three 
goals: 1) engage Colombian congressional representatives on the 
safety of biotechnology and on developing biotech-friendly 
legislation; 2) expand outreach to the private sector at Colombia's 
largest agricultural conference in Medellin; and 3) promote 
scientific exchanges with academic and research sectors on 
biotechnology development for tropical agriculture.  END SUMMARY. 
 
 
 
¶2.  Embassy Bogota requests biotech speakers to visit Colombia and 
speak on policy and technology related issues.  Post wishes to 
engage members of the Colombian congress who are key voices when it 
comes to votes on issues like labeling requirements and other 
restrictions on biotech goods.  We also seek to promote exchanges 
with the private sector and agricultural research organizations in 
Colombia, who are most supportive of biotech development. 
 
 
 
¶3.  Post's priority is to target policy-makers in small group 
discussions.  A secondary priority is to work with Colombian 
research institutions on biotechnology development for tropical 
crops that are of more importance to Colombia than traditional 
biotech crops such as corn.  A third priority is for a U.S. speaker 
to attend and deliver a presentation at Colombia's largest 
agriculture convention, AgroFuturo - an annual event sponsored by 
the Ministry of Agriculture, where the speaker can discuss the 
benefits of biotechnology to a larger and broader audience.  This 
three-pronged approach supports USG and Post economic policy 
objectives by helping to develop a biotechnology legal framework 
that has the potential to open new markets for U.S. exporters, and 
the potential to increase Colombia's capacity to meet its food 
security needs.  Upon approval, Post will work on identifying 
specific speaker candidates in coordination with the Department and 
the USDA Biotechnology Office.  The Foreign Agricultural Service 
(FAS) is able to cost-share by providing representational funds for 
events and meals. 
 
 
 
¶4.  STATEMENT OF PROBLEM:  Colombian lawmakers' knowledge of 
biotechnology is limited and local policymakers are subject to the 
influence of consumer and environmental activists, who oppose 
implementation and expansion of science-based biotechnology in 
Colombia.   Legislation to mandate labeling of genetically-modified 
organisms (GMO) products and byproducts was defeated in both 2008 
and 2009.  If approved, however, this legislation would create a 
restrictive legal framework for production, trade, and distribution 
of biotech goods.  This proposed legislation adversely affects 
trade (especially imports) of biotech products, impacting key U.S. 
GMO exports such as corn, soybeans and products made from these 
commodities.  A U.S. biotech speaker could expose anti-biotech 
lawmakers to the safety of GMOs and their economic benefits. 
 
 
 
¶5.  Recently NGO's have been pushing harder for stronger 
biotechnology regulations largely because of an incident in late 
2008 involving an estimated 13 percent loss in cotton production. 
The cotton crop in Colombia's northern coast was damaged by a pest 
outbreak which was supposed to have been controlled by DP 164 seed, 
sold by Monsanto.  Producers accused Monsanto of selling bad GMO 
seed.  The controversy is still being debated in court. In 
response, the GOC issued Resolution 682 demanding that GMO seed 
companies adopt a life-cycle-stewardship program for producers. 
 
 
 
¶6.  COST:  The speaker program would utilize funds from EEB as well 
as contributions from the Foreign Agricultural Service for event 
space and meals.  Estimated total cost of this program is USD 
15,622 which includes transportation, lodging, and interpretation 
for speakers (if needed).  However, FAS will cover $1500 of that 
cost for meeting rooms and other miscellaneous expenses and 
interpretation costs, estimated at $4500, will be zero if the 
speaker is fluent in Spanish.  Breakdown is as follows: 
 
 
Speaker to engage Colombian congress members and address AgroFuturo 
conference: 
 
 
 
Transportation: USD 2,000 (R/T flight US-Bogota-US) 
 
Local Travel: (R/T most likely to Medellin):  USD 750 
 
Per Diem: USD 360/day X 3 days: 1,080 USD; 411 USD for 2 travel 
days: USD 1,491 
 
Honorarium: USD 250 per day (3 program days and 2 preparation 
days):  USD 1,250 
 
Interpretation (USD 750/day):  USD 2,250 (as needed) 
 
Interpretation. Equip: (USD 150/day): USD 450 
 
Miscellaneous (FAS): (Meeting Room/invitations):  USD 750 
 
Total: USD 8,941; (Spanish speaker + FAS contributions, Total is 
USD: 5,491) 
 
 
 
Second Speaker for Agricultural/Scientific Exchange: 
 
 
 
Transportation: USD 2,000 (R/T US-Bogota) 
 
Per Diem: USD 360/day X 2 days: 720; 411 USD for 2 travel days: USD 
1,131 
 
Honorarium: USD 250/day (2 program days and 2 preparation days): 
USD 1,000 
 
Interpretation (USD 750/day):  USD 1,500 (as needed) 
 
Int. Equip: (USD 150/day): USD 300 
 
Miscellaneous (FAS): (Meeting Room/invitations):  USD 750 
 
Total: USD 6,681; (Spanish speaker + FAS contributions, Total is 
USD: 4,131) 
 
 
 
¶7.  TIME FRAME:  Post is looking for the most qualified speaker on 
biotech policy.  Optimally, Post would like to have a speaker visit 
in June 2010 to reach congressional members on recess as well as 
attend AgroFuturo, one of the largest agricultural policy fora in 
Colombia.  A more technically-oriented speaker program to reach out 
to the scientific community on the prospects of biotechnology for 
tropical agriculture could take place at any time during the year. 
 
 
 
¶8.  MISSION STRATEGIC PLAN THEME AND PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM:  A 
speaker program on biotechnology will directly support Post's goals 
of increasing bilateral economic ties and scientific cooperation. 
It will also complement proposed activities under a bilateral 
Science and Technology Agreement, scheduled to be signed in early 
¶2010.  The program contributes to the Enhanced Economic Engagement 
initiative outlined in Post's MSP FY 2011 under "Promoting Economic 
Growth and Security". 
 
 
 
¶9.  This speaker program could help encourage the creation of a 
legal and scientific environment where new biotech products can 
thrive.  The development of a favorable biotech environment can 
increase and open new markets for U.S. exporters, and help Colombia 
increase its food security, especially on the Pacific coast where 
malnutrition is common. 
 
 
 
¶10.  AUDIENCE:  The speaker will primarily address policy-makers 
such as representatives from the House and Senate; Ministries of 
Agriculture, Environment, Energy, Social Protection, Commerce and 
Foreign Affairs; the Colombian Institute of Science (Colciencias), 
and the Colombian Institute for Agriculture (ICA).   In addition, 
the speaker will also address a broader audience at the AgroFuturo 
 
 
forum.  If funded, a second speaker will meet with biotech industry 
associations such as Agrobio, and private research institutions 
like CIAT (International Center for Tropical Agriculture) and 
Cenica????a (a sugarcane research center). 
 
 
 
¶11.  IIP INVOLVEMENT:  Funding will come from the EEB Biotech Fund 
through the IIP (International Information Programs) speaker 
program, except for meeting room and miscellaneous costs which will 
be covered by FAS.  Post will coordinate activities in-country and 
assist in selecting speakers. 
 
 
 
¶12.  LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS: Fluent Spanish strongly preferred. 
 
 
 
¶13.  POST CONTACT INFORMATION:  ECON Program Officer is Kristin 
Haworth; Email address:  haworthkj@state.gov; Telephone number: 
011-57-383-2451; Cell phone number: 320-488-0231. FAS Program 
Officer: Todd Drennan; Email address:  todd.drennan@fas.usda.gov; 
Telephone number: 011-57-315-2033; Cell phone number: 320-498-4250. 
BROWNFIELD